The air we breathe

Umbertide, ITALY Daniele FondacciDario PannacciNicola RuiuPatrizia MartinelliLaura Feligioni

“ Air pollution is causing damage to human health and ecosystems. Large parts of the population do not live in a healthy environment, according to current standards. To get on to a sustainable path, Europe will have to be ambitious and go beyond current legislation.”

Hans Bruyninckx, EEA Executive Director

We need to know:

• the atmosphere composition • what is pollution• pollution atmosphere sources • earth as an integrated system • greenhouse effect and global warming

Air composition

Air pollution occurs when the air contains gases, dust, fumes or odour in harmful amounts. That is, amounts which could be harmful to the health or comfort of humans and animals or which could cause damage to plants and materials.The substances that cause air pollution are called pollutants.

DEFINITION OF AIR POLLUTION

Gaia Hypothesis

Gaia: A new look at life on Earth. James Lovelock (1979)

The theory proposes that organisms interact with their inorganic surroundings on Earth to form a self-regulating, complex system that contributes to maintaining the conditions for life on the planet.

Earth as an integrated system

Atmosphere is one of the spheres where the life takes place toghether with Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere. Solar energy moves matter and energy from one sphere to another.

•Trasportation (exhaust emissions, particulates)•Agriculture (pesticide, particulates, chemical and fuel)•Home heating and air conditioning•Dump (Pietra Melina)

Main pollution sources around us

Car transportation•8 a.m. (school entrance, going to work)•12.30-13.30 p.m. (commuting from work)•5-6 p.m. (getting back from work)

Agriculture

Home heating and air conditioning

Dump

GLOBAL WARMING

Solutions•Use public transport ( not polluting: walk , ride your bicycle, public transport )•Produce less waste• Practicing agriculture with low environmental impact• Using renewable energy sources

Conclusions

•Ride your bike•Tell your friends and family about pollution•Make sure your parents get pollution checks on their cars•Ride the school bus•Learn more; stay up to date•Join a group to stop pollution•Encourage your parents to carpool to work•Switch off lights,fan,heat, etc. when you leave the room

ABOVE ALL....

•We would respect European laws!We would change economy fuel based!!Politicians should pay more attention to environment and citizens health

THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION!!!!