Why does CO2 cause pollution?
CO2 is one of the most important occurrences that come naturally in nature. It is an integral part of our respiratory system and an ever more important part of photosynthesis. All in all, CO2 is a gas that is entwined with plants, animals as well as human lives in more ways than we can count. Therefore, the solution cannot lie in eliminating the gas for good.
Then, what is the problem?
CO2, despite its necessity, turns into a hazardous gas when produced in the necessity, and that is exactly what has been happening in our world for the past few years.
Why are CO2 levels rising?
With the emergence of industries that had seen their onset in the industrial
revolution, CO2 levels started rising dramatically.
As we started producing more chemicals and toxic waste, we were either disposing of the excess in the water, or the chimney blew it up in the air. It can be said that the industrial revolution marked the beginning of pollution in all sectors of the environment.
Deforestation is another reason. Oxygen is our prime source of life, and the presence of trees has made it prevalent. As the new industrialists are trying to expand their empire, the trees have to pay the price.
However, with the loss of trees, the production of CO2 consumed by these trees, increased and the production of O2, which was released by these trees, decreased. In the end, it did nothing but increase the CO2 levels in the atmosphere.
Greenhouse effect
The greenhouse effect is one of the worst environmental hazards we are going through in today's world. A gas that is a foundational contributor to this effect is CO2.
According to a cycle, every night, the Earth is supposed to cool itself by releasing all the heat and radiation into the atmosphere. The surmounting levels of CO2 work as an impediment in the process.
So, what happens?
It obstructs the release of heat, and thus, the Earth remains unable to cool itself off.
The same problem persists in the case of the ocean as well. As the water cools off, the ocean absorbs all the CO2 from the atmosphere. Due to the heat stuck in the environment, it becomes challenging for the ocean to cool down. A warm ocean cannot absorb any amount of CO2, and hence, the CO2 levels keep rising in the atmosphere.
Acid Rain
Acid Rain is one of the least talked about effects that air pollution has on our environment. As the fossil fuel is burnt, the smoke containing the toxic particles mixes with the moisture in the air and gives rise to precipitation with high acid content.
As a result, whenever it rains, the acid showers the plants and animals with toxic waste destroying them. It contaminates all the water and soil, which, in turn, disrupts aquatic life and eliminates the possibility of planting trees.
If a human comes in contact with acid rain, they can also have stone cancer.
