Identify The Process
present
Spatial and Ecological
Dimensions
Describe the Impacts,
Human and Economic Cost
Responses of Individuals
and Groups
Air Quality
Joshua, Sebastian, Hayden,
Chris, Knox, Jared
Summarizing 2
Newspaper Articles
Video
Further
Recommendations
Explain the spatial and ecological
dimensions of the issue
• Air quality changes depending on the time, place and
the weather. If one place has a large human
population, the inevitable pollution they produce will
affect the air quality in the area. Natural disasters such
as a volcanic eruption can release gases into the air
that drastically change the local air quality. Other
disasters such as bushfires or a meteor strike can also
change air quality.
• Humans release large amounts of pollutants in their
daily lives that affect the air quality of an area. It
follows that the area around a large human settlement
has a lower air quality than an area that has not been
touched by humans.
• NASA Map of global air pollution. From NASA
Identify the processes present,
explaining one
Some of the main processes involved in changing air quality in an area
are:
Fires – Bushfires release smoke into the air which changes local air quality.
Natural Disasters – Volcanoes and meteor strikes release dust and ash
into the atmosphere which can change air quality over a large area.
Industry – Industrial processes such as burning coal release all kinds of
pollutants into the air, changing air quality.
Urban Areas – Urban areas release pollutants such as aerosol (deodorant)
and car/vehicle fumes into the air, more people = more pollution.
• Human impact: flatulent, car emissions,
smoking, too much carbon dioxide, smog
• People are affected in many ways: respiratory
disease, heart disease, and even damage to
the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys
• In the great "Smog Disaster" in London in
1952, four thousand people died in a few days
due to the high concentrations of pollution.
• Economic impact: smog,
• The greens are at the head of the responses as they are they ones
who are fighting and planning on things to make and improve our
impact on the environment in the parliament and government of
Australia and they have strong concern on the environment and
respond with making sure that the air that we breathe is clean and
they always work with a wide range of regional and urban
communities that experience or live in reduced air quality. From
roads and highways to coal mining and dirty industries not
mention wood fires. The Greens have also proved and stated that
NSW faces serious air quality problems that are not being
addressed and brought up and fixed by the government. In
conclusion with the greens they believe heavily that: the
government needs to carry out regular tests and monitoring on
the air quality and pollution, government policies should aim and
work to minimise the pollutions at the source, pollutions and
emissions from new factories and developments should be put
into consideration in the making of the development for the future
and the polluters should contribute and help in the fixing of the
issues i.e. carbon tax. Website: Greens.org.au
• Also there is a group organisation that was
purposely organised and set up on the internet to
reference and put across information about air
pollution in Australia. They are known as the
Australian air quality Group. There response to
this issue is mainly making people aware of wood
heaters and also discuss transport, energy
efficiency, clean energy, solar energy, greenhouse
gases, climate change and particles ( harmful and
potentially dangerous pollutants )
• Website Address: http://aaqg.3sc.net/
• Australian Governments, what do they believe?
Summarise two separate
newspaper articles on the issues
•
•
Source:
http://www.naturalnews.com/025772_pollution_health_indoor_air.html
Indoor Air Pollution is a Serious Threat to your Health
It is believed that indoor air pollution is an overlooked threat that is has adverse affects to the human
body, especially children spending 80% of their times indoors. Studies reveal that people who constantly
surround themselves with poor indoor quality increases asthma symptoms, and can be connected with
headaches, fatigue etc. Other evidence has been found that it can cause cancer.
•
A recent report shows the case of a boy who constantly has headaches, coughing, respiratory infections,
and sometimes pneumonia. The boy reportedly missed 53 days of school during a single year because of poor
indoor air quality, but was fine during the summer when he was not in school.
•
Sources to these problems can range from many different things some of which include-household
cleaning products, chlorine, radon gas etc.
•
On the bright side however, indoor air pollution can be more controllable than outdoor air pollution.
•
There are many different things that can be used to control/lower the amount of indoor air pollution
such as air filters/purifiers.
Article 2 – Beijing Olympics
venues There have been numerous studies into the air quality that the Olympic games was
centered around in china.
SOURCE: http://www.earthtimes.org/pollution/drop-air-pollution-boost-heart-healthbeijing/1988/
The article outlines numerous points and they include:
• Short and small reductions to air quality can improve heart health
• Scientists discovered biological signs that when pollution levels fall cardiovascular health
improves.
• They spent over 17 billion dollars to improve the air quality and minimize air pollution by
closing down factories and limiting transport through out the games and for 2 months
prior.
• Researches wanted to bring air quality levels down to the levels of previous Olympic
venues so it wouldn't’t affect the biology and cardiovascular health of the athletes
• They had regular visits to clinics and found many issues in health in many athletes mainly
due to air quality conditions also affecting the results
• Human health and the environment have been proved to be clearly linked
• Lots of research and studies have gone into the air quality and pollution before during
and after the games.
• Lots of things have been proven and linked to air pollution and the environment and to
the athletes and other people that as all been centered around air pollution
 What you can do:
It is of great importance to be educated about Air pollution and
we can help contribute to minimising the impacts of the issue if
we simply educate ourselves on the causes, the impacts and
what the air quality is like in our local community so therefore
we can be ready and better prepared to protect our selves and
more important our family.
 The solution:
Often for everything the solution is quite simple and straight
forward and it is the same for air pollution BUT to get the best
result the government plays a key part as to get things and make
things known you need government action so things can be
established clear, to make strict air quality standards and make
the environmental standards much better, not to mention to
make important decisions like reduce coal and mining in
general. However what can we do? It Is you who can make a
difference!

Other recommendations include:

alternate energy sources to reduce emissions i.e. solar power

public transport or car pooling

Go by foot or ride a bicycle

conserve energy

environmentally safe products i.e. spray cans and cleaning products

Don’t Smoke

Reduce wood heaters and fireplaces

Good waste disposal system including recycling
Video
Sources
News Paper Articles:: http://www.earthtimes.org/pollution/drop-air-pollution-boost-heart-health-
beijing/1988/
http://www.naturalnews.com/025772_pollution_health_indoor_air.html
Responses
www.Greens.org.au
http://aaqg.3sc.net/
www.greenpeace.org
Others
www.envirobment.gov.au
Wikipedia with the use of the following links:
www.worstpolluted.org
www.epa.gov
www.who.int
Credits
Questions
1: Hayden
2: Hayden
3: Sebastian
4: Joshua
5: Jared, 1 Joshua, 2
6: Joshua
Video
Director: Chris
Script: Josh
Photography: Knox
CAST: HAYDEN THOMAS and JOSHUA EDWARDS
Absent: Jared Weedon