If you’ve ever seen smog hanging low over a city, then you’ve seen air pollution first-hand. Air pollution can be natural or man-made, but it’s the man-made pollutants that are the most destructive, like greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and the destruction of the ozone. Carbon dioxide is one of the worst air pollutants, it’s mainly emitted from power plants, cars, planes and other vehicles and comes from burning fossil fuels. Another major air pollutant is methane, which comes from raising livestock, and CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) which are used in aerosol products.
Air pollution has been linked to health problems like asthma and lung disease, as well as the deterioration of the ozone layer (which protects us from harmful UV rays) and the warming of the earth which may destroy the habitats of many animals. Governments are trying to encourage people to lessen air pollution driving less, recycling and limiting their energy consumption.