The biggest question still remains; What can we do to help?
As for vehicles, going fully electric would be the biggest bang for your buck. Many companies have already done this, however it is a slow and expensive route to take as of now. As of 2020, there are only roughly 400,00 units of electric public transportation in the world that range from electric buses, plugin hybrids, trolleybus, and fuel cell buses). There are many of options for YOU as well though, each year more and more manufacturers are dropping their versions of environment friendly cars, and each year these cars look and perform better. The only catch is money. The more top-of-the-line vehicles are a bit pricey, but in the end you will save lots of money on gas and maintenance.
As for vehicles, going fully electric would be the biggest bang for your buck. Many companies have already done this, however it is a slow and expensive route to take as of now. As of 2020, there are only roughly 400,00 units of electric public transportation in the world that range from electric buses, plugin hybrids, trolleybus, and fuel cell buses). There are many of options for YOU as well though, each year more and more manufacturers are dropping their versions of environment friendly cars, and each year these cars look and perform better. The only catch is money. The more top-of-the-line vehicles are a bit pricey, but in the end you will save lots of money on gas and maintenance.
As for air pollution from factories and housing, there must be regulation. Let's be honest, we aren't going to stop these gasses from being pushed into the atmosphere, but we can limit the damage.
- First, make the switch the clean energy sources
- Use non-toxic materials to manufacture
- Design and use more filters such as;
- HEPA: a HEPA filter is designed to remove PM2.5 pollutants from the air, including tire and brake dust and some elements of vehicle emissions.
- Carbon filter: These are filters that use carbon, and are designed specifically to remove airborne chemicals.
- PECO filters: These filters have a dual-phase filtration system. The first phase uses standard technology to stop particulates, a major component of traffic pollution. The other phase uses the PECO technology, which is suited to remove chemicals found in traffic pollution.
- Ionizer filters: Ionizing air purifiers helps remove particulate pollutants from the air, but have no effect on the chemical gases from car exhaust.
Some of the biggest sources of sewer pollution come from big businesses, some simple solutions are:
- Putting trash cans and cigarette receptacles in areas that a lot of people frequent, including employee break areas
- Lids for the trash cans are firmly on and closed at all times, the area around kept clean. Keep them away from catch basins and make sure the trash cans are cleaned regularly. Make sure the clean-out plug is properly secured to prevent leaking.
- Hazardous materials can be properly disposed of through the Massachusetts Hazardous Waste Hotline for Businesses at 617-292-5898
- Pour waste water into a janitorial sink or floor drain that is connected to the sewer system. Don't pour waste water into parking lots or catch basins.
- Install and maintain grease traps and never pour cooking oil, grease or fats into sinks, floor drains, solid waste containers or catch basins
In order to solve this “lack of greenness” in Boston, clearly more needs to be added. Less buildings need to be built, and with this space more parks, fields, etc. can be put down. These spaces are more critical than you think. Just by adding more of them to the city, green spaces solve problems themselves such as air quality. Solving this issue will solve many more. It also doesn’t hurt just to have more plants in the city. Whether it’s a little tomato plant on your balcony or some decorative succulents in your apartment, these little things collectively help the environment.