Human driven ecological degradation continues to be a major problem around the world. Air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year. Here I’ll talk about various pollutants,the ongoing pandemic and what role trees play in our life.
Different conditions are responsible for indoor air pollution in the rural areas and the urban areas.
Rural areas face the greatest threat from indoor pollution,where people rely on traditional fuels such as firewood,charcoal and cowdung for cooking. Burning such fuels produce large amount of smoke and other pollutants.Women and children are most vulnerable as they spend more time indoor.
Urban areas have an increased exposure to Pollutants such as 1. Tobacco : smoke generates a wide range of harmful chemicals and is carcinogenic. It results in burning of eyes ,nose and throat irritation, severe asthma and decreased lung functioning. 2. Formaldehyde: mainly from carpets ,particle boards and insulation foam. It causes irritation to eyes and nose and allergies. 3. Radon : it is emitted naturally by soil.Due to poor ventilation in modern houses ,it is confined inside the house and causes lung cancers.
As India struggles with Covid-19, the disease has exposed weakened immunities and failing facilities. It has left us gasping, literally, for oxygen. A recent report states that air pollution is causing a rapid increase in the death rate due to COVID-19. And, that is why there is an urgent need for cleaner air which we can get from plants and trees.
Too much exposure to air pollution affects your health and immunity, making you susceptible to infections and diseases. It severely affects the vulnerable group of people including children, pregnant women, and elderly raising their risk of getting COVID-19. It has also been found that if you are already affected by COVID-19 virus, your chances to die from the disease increases if you are exposed to excessive air pollution. Air pollutants can exacerbate the preexisting conditions raising your possibility of suffering from its lethal complications.
Imposing lockdown can not only help contain the virus but prevent an increasing number of deaths due to COVID-19. Another way to slow down the pollution level is by planting more and more trees. Keep your surroundings green so that you remain safe and away from COVID-19.
Trees are an important part of our world. Trees improve air quality by acting as natural air filters removing dust, smoke and fumes from the atmosphere by trapping them on their leaves, branches and trunks.
Trees reduce the GREENHOUSE effect by removing carbon dioxide from the air and releasing oxygen. Each year a mature tree produces enough oxygen for 10 people.
Trees are also an effective sound barrier and can limit noise pollution. Recent research shows that trees also help reduce the stress of modern life.
Trees in themselves benefit the environment and the landscape, but they are also an integral part of the ecosystem providing benefits to wildlife and biodiversity. They help to keep our air clean and our ecosystem healthy.We breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.Trees breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. We’re family and we must live like a family.We can never have enough nature .I swear to you ,there are divine things more beautiful than my words can tell.
LET’S PLANT MORE TREES AND PLANT HOPE FOR THE FUTURE GENERATION.