Air Pollution_ Analysis and Proposal in Bogota _ Linda Paredes Peralta

Linda’s analysis and proposal about the air pollution in Bogota

.  1. Analyze and describe an environmental problem in your city.

I live in Bogotá and this city has got some several issues related to environmental problems. I’d say that, the major environmental problem that this city has is the air pollution according to the statistics provided by the local government.

In the graphic results from a study of the national university which measured the different environmental problems in Bogotá, it can be interpreted that, the first environmental problem detected is the air pollution with the highest level -80.10- over 100points; in second place, dirty and untidy with 65.00 points and in third place, noise and light pollution with 64.44 points. There are other environmental problems but I highlight the first three mentioned previously.

Due both its increasing emissions inventory and lack of effective environmental policies, Bogota has become one of the most air polluted cities in Latin America. During the last 10 years, annual concentration of PM10 has exceeded the standard in several parts of the city.
The main reason for this problem, as far as I know is the fuel used for vehicles especially public transportation. During the day of the bus drivers' strike, the Mayor of Bogotá did not restrict the mobilization of private cars and the vast majority were used, demonstrating that private cars have almost nothing to do with air pollution in Bogota.

I’m no expert on environmental problems, but the consequences for the Bogotanos’ health are severe. There are some symptoms that are caused by an increase in the toxic substances in the air emitted by public service buses cargo trucks, motorcycles with two-stroke engines, factories that produce pollutant emissions and by the incineration of materials; all this causes a reduction in oxygen concentration.

Thousands of people in the capital of Colombia have suffered all or some of the following symptoms caused by air poisoning, while the authorities do nothing to prevent it: dryness of nostrils, irritation of the eyes, fatigue, suffocation, ataxia that already appears in many Bogotanos, cough, hoarseness, headache, difficulty for concentration and pain in the legs.

1.      Present a proposal using appropriate language structures to problem solving.

This is just my opinion, people need to act urgently because they are just waiting for someone (the neighbor, the schools, the government -others-) to do something to fight and reduce the current and major environmental problem detected in Bogotá “the air pollution” which is in a so advanced level.

Without a doubt, we must start the change, this is the way to save not only our city, but our lives because we are talking about air quality; this transformation can be carried out by anyone during the everyday actions.

There are some simple and viable behaviors we can follow to reduce the damages that the poisonous gas -the carbon monoxide- of the vehicles emit. In the analysis of the environmental problem in Bogotá, I indicated the biggest pollutants are the buses, cars and trucks, so I’d say that fewer trips in the car or truck can help improve air quality, even how people drive can reduce the car’s footprint.

Other easy steps are to walk or ride a bike when possible, in Bogotá is a difficult issue to take the public transportation due to this is the major pollutant cause different from for example Washington D.C. in the USA where the most transportation such as the train is electric; it’s a vast difference. However, if people have a car, it’s important to take into account some tips like to accelerate gradually and obey the speed limit, to maintain the vehicle and keep the tires properly inflated and to accomplish the technical-mechanical revision required. Obviously, a helpful and ideal choice would be that people could acquire an electric car to minimize the pollution effects promptly.

On the other hand, there are many other ways air quality can be improved in the home and at work.

I’m absolutely certain that from home people can contribute reducing energy consumption, choosing sustainable products and eliminating the exposure to chemicals, we can all contribute to a cleaner Bogotá.  Reducing energy consumption helps reduce air pollution. If less gasoline, natural gas and electricity are used, not only do your bills decrease but less pollutants are emitted. There are also many products in the home, garden and garage that emit smog-forming chemicals that pollute the air when used. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM) contained in these products penetrate deep into the lungs and can trigger asthma attacks or worsen respiratory illnesses.

Some people may disagree with me due to I’ve talked to some of my coworkers about it and their responses about to turn off the lights when a room is empty are for example “we do not pay the bills, the school or local government does”, so I bring some tips that a responsible consumer should consider and take actions as car-sharing arrangement;  to work from home sometimes; start a recycling program; print and photocopy on both sides of paper; bring your lunch to work to avoid mid-day outings; turn off office equipment, computers, printers, and fax machines, after hours; and harness the power of the sun: open the blinds and turn off the lights.

These, obviously, are not the only ways that we can go ahead and stop air pollution from an even bigger problem than it already is. I invite you to think about what we are doing, maybe you can take some of the ideas I proposed and add some more that are missing. I’m positive that we could make a huge difference if our actions try to help the atmosphere and the environment in general, preventing issues that are related to pollution in our environment and around the world that we currently are living in.