Urban Forest plays a very important role in restoring the relationship between man and the natural environment ensuring better quality of life. Urban Forests contribute to the retention of air pollution, although this property has been occasionally overrated. The use of trees as form of protection against pollution in polluted environments is a common practice in many developed countries. In 2012, approximately 3,732,500 people died worldwide, consequence of ambient air pollution (WHO, 2014). Several studies have proved the importance and benefits of trees in urban areas: reduction in air pollution through air purification rates, absorptions of particulate matters, reduction of need of energy, through air conditioning and heating, which …show more content…
Therefore, it includes the trees found in streets, avenues, squares, parks, protected areas, public or private areas, and remains of natural or planted ecosystems. Interestingly, the term "Urban Forest" is basically constant throughout the US consulted bibliography (Nowak & O’Connor 2001; Cumming et al., 2007; Nowak et al., 2002). The reason for this conceptual consolidation is most likely the definition chosen for purposes of state planning by United States Census Bureau which express the conservation policy and the planning for development of urban forests in many US cities (Cumming et al 2007).
More than half the world 's population (54%) lives in urban areas and it is projected to grow 1.84% annually between 2015 and 2020 (WHO, 2014). The overcrowded cities are causing a large reduction on the number of green areas increasing air pollution and affecting the quality of life of the population. About 99% of the "clean dry air" we breathe is made up of two gases: 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. The remaining 1% includes CO2 (0.03%), inert gases, and a number of other gases such as CO, O3, H2S, SO2, NO2, and other (SOJKA et al 2002), many of which are now considered as pollutants when they are found in high concentrations. Under natural conditions it must also be considered the water vapor present in addition to the so-called particulate matter, which is
Another big problem in polluting places and things is air pollution which can make air foggy, unbreathable, and toxic. According to “34 Facts about Pollution”, the text states breathing the air in Mumbai, India, for just one day is equivalent to smoking 100 cigarettes. One of the things that can cause air pollution is releasing factory fuels and fossil fuels into the air. We also cause it from burning certain things like plastic, chemicals, and other
Air pollution situation is created by the release of pollutants into the air .These substances are detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole. When air becomes contaminated or polluted, it becomes hazard to humankind and other living species on the earth. The use of energy and different forms of gaseous emissions is the reason for air pollution. According to John Walke, director of the Clean Air Project, part of the Climate and Clean Air program at NRDC. “Burning fossil fuels releases gases and chemicals into the air.” Air pollutants are identified as an indicator of air quality are nitrogen oxides (NO2), sulphur oxides (SO2), carbon monoxides (CO), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM10) and lead (Pb). SO2, NO2, CO and PM10. These are well recognized as sources emitted from the combustion of fuels used in power and desalination plants (Brunekreef, B., & Holgate, S. T.,2002).
Air pollution is specifically dangerous because of the effects in can have on a person’s health. There is an unknown when referring to the health effects because the toxins released from various substances can be different. The most common form of air pollutants is carbon monoxide (CO) which is typically produced from vehicles and factories. Huge cities in the United Sates, such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are some of the primary contributors to these toxic releases. The American Lung association claims that “about 47 percent of Americans live in counties with frequently unhealthy levels of either ozone or particulate pollution” (Roppolo). This suggest that the daily activities of the average American, causes them to live in polluted areas. If you compare this to the rate of population growth, it can be said that this number would
Planting trees in metropolitan areas offer several benefits. The greenery adds beauty to the area as the plants absorb carbon dioxide, toxins and odors. The air is cleaner and pollution is less. Plants also release oxygen that humans need for breathing. The oxygen reduces the greenhouse effect that contributes to global warming. Trees also
In today’s world, pollution and climate change have created dangerous living conditions for many people and will continue to cause problems across the globe for years to come. For many years, scientists have tried to find ways to decrease levels of carbon dioxide in the air, but most are ultimately too expensive or fail to work. Possibly, the best way to decrease these levels is to have plants take the carbon dioxide out of the air, planting trees and other plants along buildings in a vertical forest could be the most efficient way.
Not only do we feel healthier breathing in the fresh air of forested areas than we do breathing in the smog of major urban cities but, there are significantly less toxins in the air in these forests as the reason.
There are so many pollutants in the air today. They come from many different sources. The most common types of gases come from automobiles, power plants, and industrial companies. This leads to poor quality in the air, along with global warming, and heavy pollution. The gases that are released into the air can be very dangerous for humans and animals alike. Many of the toxins cause cancer and other diseases. This has been going on for many, many years. The United States and China are two good references to compare.
Everyone in the New York metropolitan area breathes air that fails to meet the health standards, and citizens suffer serious health impact from breathing that dirty air. The relationship between air pollution and health affects everyone. Air pollution is constantly affecting people and putting them at sick, even though the degree of pollution is not at its highest. The public health significance of smoke, dust, gas, pollen, and microorganisms in the air are with a range of adverse health effects. These diseases spread and cause new disease to originate. Exposure to common urban air link to a wide range of adverse health outcomes, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, asthma exacerbation, reduced lung function and premature death.
Background information necessary to know before completing this lab are habitat destruction and human population.
In recent decades it has become clear that increasingly accelerated urbanization globally, coupled with increased consumption of natural resources and pollution dramatically alter the ecological context in which cities are struggling to provide long-term social, economic and environmental sustainability. Given that urban areas are densely populated and are among the most polluted ecological environments, it can be concluded that the highest percentage of diseases caused by environmental hazards are in urban areas. Among the biggest challenges in urban areas is the public health, which is one of the most important demographic and social parameters. Urban population, despite facing increasingly great social and economic inequality,
Robert D. Brook et al. (2004) defined air pollution as a heterogeneous, complex mixture of gases, liquids and particulate matter. According to Robert D. Brook et al. (2004), several epidemiological studies have indicated that there is a consistent risk for cardiovascular
The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined particulate matter (PM2.5), as an outdoor air pollutant. Also known as air pollution, aerosols, and “fine” particulate matter, PM2.5 has emerged as one of the most significant environmental and public health concerns over the past several decades. PM2.5 has revealed to hold detrimental affects on human health and is attributable to over 130,0000 deaths annually according to 2005 air quality levels (Hoek et al. 2013; CDC). The processes of economic development, urbanization, energy production, and consumption, and transportation have been the primary driving forces of PM2.5. (EPA; Huang et al, 2014)
The environmental challenges the world is facing today are greater and more complex than ever before. Soon over 9 billion people will inhabit and share the planet, increasing demands for natural resources such as food and water, and for energy and more infrastructure are pushing nature to its limits. Urbanization continues to increase with no indication of stopping anytime soon, which means that the world needs to begin planning and supporting a more sustainable growth of the worlds cities. Through the incorporation of nature into city planning, sprawling urban areas can be transformed into healthy and thriving environments that many people want to reside in. Nature can aid cities in more effectively and efficiently managing their waters, as the fastest growing sources of water pollution are derived from waste water and runoff. Implementing properly designed green space within cities can help manage the amount of runoff from city streets and buildings entering clean waterways, and “upstream natural areas can potentially save cities millions of dollars in drinking water treatment” (“The Biggest Environmental Challenges”). Street trees can reduce air pollution and provide shade thus reducing and absorbing heat in urban areas, this can potentially save lives through the reduction particles in the air that cause respiratory issues and heat related ailments.
Rationale: Urban areas should not be ignored because they hold a surprisingly high number of native species, some of which are very much of conservation concern. At time conservation biologist think about what areas are the best areas that will allow them to conserve as much species
The establishment of green belts in the city is a highly effective measure in reduction of pollution. Not only is this method cost effective and ascetically pleasing it also ranked high on Stormcades survey of acceptance. Planting trees is a great way to control carbon dioxide