• Question: How have the solutions to prevent pollution changed over the years?

    Asked by anon-177601 to Nicola, Helen, Daniel on 19 Jun 2018.
    • Photo: Daniel Marsh

      Daniel Marsh answered on 19 Jun 2018:

      We make measurements of ambient air quality in the same places over long periods of time, this allows us to see trends and assess whether the pollution is getting better or worse or the chemistry of the air is changing completely. When we make big changes we are able to measure the impacts and see how well they work, an example of this is the introduction of a low emission zone in London that only allows the cleanest buses, taxis and lorries to come into the centre of the city. When the solutions do not have the real impacts that were expected then we have to try and understand why and try new solutions so they are always changing as we learn more.

    • Photo: Helen Littler

      Helen Littler answered on 19 Jun 2018:

      When I was your age, it was all about greenhouse gases especially CFCs. Now you don’t hear about them as their use has been phased out. Being environmentally friendly has become a lot more mainstream during my lifetime, people quickly get used to changes like plastic bag charges.

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