Jasmine Rambless: young reporters scotland

biodiversity

Did you know that as of September 2014, there was a whopping 45.5 million people in Great Britain who had an active driving license? Does that figure concern you? Especially with the large numbers of those turning 17 getting driving lessons for their birthday, the number is only set to rocket further. The more cars on the road, the higher the risk of air pollution there is. We may look outside and believe that the air is clean and fresh, but we are fooled by our eyes. It is in fact us humans who are at fault here; the increased numbers of people learning to drive at a young age and are continuing to drive into their old age in this ageing population, but also the toxins released from factories.

Typically, air pollution is associated with Eastern countries due to high populations - countries in Asia such as China and India where the populations are 1.397 billion and 1.324 billion. However, due to change of lifestyles in the UK, an increased yet ageing population and more youth drivers, roads are busier, with a rise in the potential risk of air pollution. At one period throughout this year, London had a higher air pollution than Beijing - a shocking fact considering the population of London is 15 times less than China. However, the most polluted city of the UK is actually Glasgow, whereas London is in sixth place.

I, for one, have noticed the increased laziness amongst teenagers who aren't willing to walk. Although we are all guilty of this from time to time, teenagers especially are relying on their parents to drive them everywhere, using them as their own personal taxi. This is highly concerning as it causes congestion on the roads, releasing poisonous chemicals into the air which is extremely dangerous for our health, as well as a lack of exercise. Each year, pollution is the main cause of over 28,000 deaths in the UK - majority are a result of heart or lung problems.

Not only are we harming ourselves, but think about the world's nature too. The plants that we are killing from the dirty air; the animals becoming extinct from pollution. We need to look around us and appreciate the beauty surrounding us. It is us humans who are damaging our own world, affecting our own health and risking innocent creature's lives.

One reoccurring situation I have noticed myself is the number of young people who get a lift to and from school every day. Of course, those who live a fair distance away will be entitled to a school bus, which is more environmental friendly because there are around 40 pupils in one bus compared to 40 individual cars being on the road at once going to the same location. The main concern here is those who get a lift but do not necessarily require one - in fact, it would possibly be, not only easier, but faster for them to actually walk than to get a lift. Taking into consideration, you could only imagine the congestion that the cars and buses cause in a residential area - it is dangerous for residents, other pupils as well as the drivers themselves. Whilst cars are sitting in the car parks waiting for their "little darlings", they are sitting running their engines, releasing the chemicals. With the number of cars and buses sitting, all running their engines, you could only imagine the damage that they are doing to the air. I can only stress to you how busy school areas can be on rainy days. Why? Because parents don't want their children to end up soaking, and instead, would rather pollute the air. Doesn't make sense, does it?

For each car on the road, whether they are sitting waiting to pick their child up, or are running their child somewhere, consider the number of fumes that are entering the air, contributing to the earth's environmental state. The air pollution is already critical, and it is set to increase even further. The worse the air pollution becomes, then people will fall ill more regularly. If people were to walk to places, or perhaps car share, the congestion would be reduced, vastly. Even if people were to choose public transport instead, it would be an eco-friendlier option. It is always automatically assumed that cities' air pollution is worse off, but in reality, smaller towns and villages are under the same threat. Fed up of miserable Summers and atrocious Winters? We only have ourselves to blame. The air pollution is the result of global warming, and if people don't change their ignorant attitudes towards the environment, nothing will change. Ever.

But, us as people should try play their part in trying to save their community. Even if it's just opting to walking instead of jumping in their car, every little gesture helps.

So, how are you going to contribute towards saving the planet?

NOTE: This article won a Young Reporters Scotland Award.

Jasmine Rambless

Exciting Announcement!

Pollution, It Matters

About

Pages

Total Pageviews

Blog Archive