Protecting the Air Against Pollutants

1Trees: afforestation and deforestation

Deforestation means cutting down forests without planting new trees. It leaves fewer trees to take in carbon dioxide, it lets dust blow from bare ground, and burning the cut wood adds more smoke.

Afforestation means planting trees where there was no forest before. Reforestation means replanting trees where a forest was cut down. Trees help the air because they:

• take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen when they make their food;
• trap dust and soot on their leaves;
• hold soil in place, so less dust blows about.

2At home: cleaner cooking

• Use an improved cookstove. It burns less charcoal or firewood and makes much less smoke.
• Use cleaner fuels where possible: gas (LPG), biogas, electricity or solar.
• Cook where there is fresh air: a kitchen with a window, a chimney, or outdoors.
• Use dry firewood, which burns with less smoke than wet wood.
• Keep babies and small children away from cooking smoke.

3On the road

• Walk or cycle for short journeys.
• Use public transport such as buses, so that one vehicle carries many people.
• Keep vehicles well serviced so they do not pour out black smoke, and switch off engines while waiting.

4In the community

• Do not burn rubbish, and never burn plastic. Sort, reuse, recycle and compost it instead.
• Do not burn bushes or crop leftovers. Dig them in or use them as mulch and compost.
• Factories should filter their smoke before it leaves the chimney.
• Plant trees and protect the ones that are already growing.
• Do not smoke, and never smoke near other people.

5Use your voice

You can help by speaking out politely: explain the danger to a neighbour who burns plastic, make posters with your school's environment club, and remind your family to open the kitchen window.

Try it yourself

Try each one first, then tap Show answer to check.