particularly for children, the elderly, and people of all ages who have lung diseases
such as asthma. Ground-level ozone can also have harmful effects on sensitive
vegetation and ecosystems [73].
Coal-fired power plants also emit mercury, another trace element found in coal.
Once in the atmosphere, the mercury can be deposited on the Earth. It finds its way
into lakes and streams, where it is absorbed by microscopic plants and animals.
These can be consumed by fish. The fish will store the mercury. When humans eat
the fish, they can get a potentially harmful dose of mercury.
Burning of fossil fuels can also release other toxic chemicals such as cadmium,
benzene, and formaldehyde. Usually these are released in very small amounts, but
over time, and when combined with emissions from other sources, they can
accumulate.
The same actions, which will help reduce acid rain, will also affect the climate. In
addition to nitrates, power plants emit large amounts of carbon dioxide. Gases,
which hold heat better than dry air, are called “greenhouse gases.” Carbon dioxide
and most oxides of nitrogen are both greenhouse gases, and so increasing the
concentration of them makes the atmosphere hold more heat. This can lead to an
increase in the global average temperature. Many scientists feel they already have
evidence that this is happening and feel that increased concentrations of greenhouse
gases will have serious consequences. By reducing our use of electrical energy,
increasing the efficiency of power plants, and using sources of energy, which do not
require combustion (wind, solar, etc), we can reduce acid rain and emissions of
greenhouse gases [74].
8.11 Future Efforts
While we have made progress in reducing the acidity of rainfall and are beginning to
see positive effects in our environment, it is not yet possible to declare victory. We
still must continue to reduce our emissions of atmospheric pollutants. Clean fuels,
renewable energy, and increased efficiency are important ways to reduce our dependence on coal and oil as a source of energy [75].
Fuels such as natural gas and wood chips emit fewer acid rain causing pollutants
per unit of electricity. By converting some of our existing plants to run on these fuels
and building new facilities that can replace some of our older, less efficient plants,
we can generate electricity with fewer emissions.
Renewable energy sources such as wind, hydroelectric, and solar are contributing
to cleaner air in New England and slowing the region’s increase in fossil fuel
consumption. Some states are calling for increasing amounts of electricity from
renewable resources. Wind power, in particular, has become a more important
source of electricity due to the fact that its costs are now similar to that of traditional
fossil fuel resources.
Conservation programs such as US EPA’s Energy Star, Green Buildings, and the
New England Community Energy Challenge will help us reduce the demand for
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L. K. Wang et al.
such as asthma. Ground-level ozone can also have harmful effects on sensitive
vegetation and ecosystems [73].
Coal-fired power plants also emit mercury, another trace element found in coal.
Once in the atmosphere, the mercury can be deposited on the Earth. It finds its way
into lakes and streams, where it is absorbed by microscopic plants and animals.
These can be consumed by fish. The fish will store the mercury. When humans eat
the fish, they can get a potentially harmful dose of mercury.
Burning of fossil fuels can also release other toxic chemicals such as cadmium,
benzene, and formaldehyde. Usually these are released in very small amounts, but
over time, and when combined with emissions from other sources, they can
accumulate.
The same actions, which will help reduce acid rain, will also affect the climate. In
addition to nitrates, power plants emit large amounts of carbon dioxide. Gases,
which hold heat better than dry air, are called “greenhouse gases.” Carbon dioxide
and most oxides of nitrogen are both greenhouse gases, and so increasing the
concentration of them makes the atmosphere hold more heat. This can lead to an
increase in the global average temperature. Many scientists feel they already have
evidence that this is happening and feel that increased concentrations of greenhouse
gases will have serious consequences. By reducing our use of electrical energy,
increasing the efficiency of power plants, and using sources of energy, which do not
require combustion (wind, solar, etc), we can reduce acid rain and emissions of
greenhouse gases [74].
8.11 Future Efforts
While we have made progress in reducing the acidity of rainfall and are beginning to
see positive effects in our environment, it is not yet possible to declare victory. We
still must continue to reduce our emissions of atmospheric pollutants. Clean fuels,
renewable energy, and increased efficiency are important ways to reduce our dependence on coal and oil as a source of energy [75].
Fuels such as natural gas and wood chips emit fewer acid rain causing pollutants
per unit of electricity. By converting some of our existing plants to run on these fuels
and building new facilities that can replace some of our older, less efficient plants,
we can generate electricity with fewer emissions.
Renewable energy sources such as wind, hydroelectric, and solar are contributing
to cleaner air in New England and slowing the region’s increase in fossil fuel
consumption. Some states are calling for increasing amounts of electricity from
renewable resources. Wind power, in particular, has become a more important
source of electricity due to the fact that its costs are now similar to that of traditional
fossil fuel resources.
Conservation programs such as US EPA’s Energy Star, Green Buildings, and the
New England Community Energy Challenge will help us reduce the demand for
298
L. K. Wang et al.