Why are we polluting so much?

Levels of CO2 have increased substantially over the past 10 years. This increase is mostly because of human behavior. One of the biggest causes is externalities. Because of externalities the atmosphere is getting warmer and the earth is feeling the impact.

Gases that are polluting the air:

Carbon Dioxide (C02): Carbon Dioxide is the most prominent greenhouse gas. It also emits a thermal radiation (heat that an object emits). When we exhale we let go of carbon dioxide. CO2 is important for sustaining life, but only in small quantities. Since the Industrial Revolution in 1850 there is a lot more CO2 in the air. There is a lot more carbon dioxide since people were producing more so there were more factories that were polluting. This caused there to be more carbon dioxide in the air.

Nitrous Oxide: We create nitrous oxide by combustion fuel. The nitrogen in the fuel then mixes with the oxygen in air, creating nitrous oxide. We have little nitrous oxide on our planet but it is a gas that contributes to global warming. It it dangerous because it destroys the ozone layer, therefore UV rays can pass through the ozone layer.

Methane: Humans as well as nature create methane. Methane greatly contributes to climate change because it too emits a thermal radiation.

Why are we polluting so much?

Externalities are one of the biggest problems related to climate change. Externalities are costs imposed on others. In this context, a great example would be the conditions in Beijing. Most factories in Beijing don't put filters on their smokestacks. Therefore the air quality is bad. Since the factories aren't the only ones feeling the cost, it is an externality.

A problem is that since the factories don't have to pay money for polluting the air, they produce more. Since they produce more they pollute a lot more than if they had to pay the cost of the bad air.

Solution to externalities:

One solution to externalities is to raise the price to produce something that will cause pollution. For example, if we raise the price of gasoline by imposing taxes people might drive less. Also, another idea is if we could measure the amount of greenhouse gases they put into the air we could raise the price they need to pay to produce their product. But there is one problem. People might not be thrilled to have to pay more taxes. One example is the recent situation in France. There have been riots since the government raised the price of gasoline.

Another solution is that the government could give money to companies that don't pollute and let the other companies try on their own. The companies supported by the government would thrive. Therefore, more companies would try to use clean technology.

Example of clean technology:

Windmills: A windmill is an example of a clean technology because it produce energy without polluting the air. A windmill works by the wind pushing the propellers. The axel that holds the propellers in place then spins a generator to create energy.

Solar panels: A solar panel is another example of clean technology because it doesn't pollute. It works by allowing particles of light to separate atoms, generating energy.

Conclusion:

Humans have polluted Earth for a long time and externalities are one of the biggest problems. We have found solutions to externalities but there are always problems in the way. As a community we can try and fix those problems. Every little thing that one person will do, will help climate change.

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