Air Pollution Is An Ongoing Problem

As time goes on, measures that used to work to reduce air pollution are becoming outdated and not quite as efficient. New pollution control efforts have recently tightened up standards in order to remove higher amounts of pollution from overly-populated cities and countries that are now surrounded by acid rain, smog, toxic contamination, potential health risks, and increases in cancer and respiratory illnesses - all which are contributing to global warming. Recent changes in new pollution control efforts are the results of a previous national pollution and greenhouse gas emissions overview.

The numbers showed high nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, in addition to greenhouse gases (all part of the focus of the Clean Air Act).

In Canada these elements are regulated as toxic substances under the Canada Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), who also regulates toxic chemicals such as mercury and lead. Numbers in Canada were increasingly high in the latest survey. The CEPA stepped up to bat recently with new developments for reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants under their new, "Turning the Corner Plan."

This new regime in Canada is considered the absolute toughest regulatory in the world to reduce greenhouse gases to 20% by 2050, requiring action by all areas: Canada's federal government, provinces, industry, municipalities, and the average Canadian citizens.

Two key components of Canada's new plan are the "Credit for Early Action Program" and the "Offset System," with the plan's regulations to be finalized by 2009 and coming into play by January 1, 2010.

Additionally, the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC) will be regulated in specific products, with VOC's considered a precursor pollutant that contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone and particulate matter; both primary ingredients of smog. This plan had begun on October 21, 2006, with a Notice of Intent which allowed them to develop an approach that would regulate air pollutant emissions and industrial greenhouse gases.

On April 26, 2007, they unveiled their "Turning the Corner" plan to do as such, in addition to outlining regulatory measures:
(1) to reduce emissions from the transportation sector
(2) actions on consumer and commercial products
(3) actions to improve indoor air quality

On the other side of the coin is the rapidly developing air pollution from East Asia, containing large amounts of brown carbon particles with no atmospheric models that can incorporate its effects.

The only types of climate models being used presently are organic carbon and black carbon, that which arises from the burning of biomass or fossil fuels.

Meanwhile, black carbon absorbs light and warms the atmosphere while organic carbon absorbs light and has no warming effect, absorbing at a negligible level.

As you can see, air pollution is not a dead issue and governments all over the world are working to reduce its harmful effects.

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