Plant a Tree – Make Yourself Air

❖ Air is essential for life on Earth. It is vital for all living things, including humans, plants and animals.

❖ Air forms the gas envelope of the Earth – the atmosphere. Dry air consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% other substances such as argon or carbon dioxide. Air is an important natural resource.

❖ Air quality refers to the cleanliness of the air we breathe. The most significant factors contributing to air pollution are: emissions, mainly from transport, energy, industry; burning of fossil fuels – wood, coal, natural gas; construction and agricultural activities; natural phenomena – forest fires, volcanoes.

❖ Poor air quality leads to health problems – of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, malignancies, fatigue, headaches, eye, nose and throat irritation.

❖ In addition to being harmful to human health, it negatively impacts the Earth’s natural ecosystems and biodiversity.

❖ All over the world, in Europe and in our own country, serious measures are being taken to limit harmful emissions and improve the quality of the air we breathe. Strict rules are being adopted on pollutant limits and penalties for breaching them. National and environmental organisations have been set up to monitor air quality.

Each of us is responsible for preserving the cleanliness of nature and cleaner air – for ourselves, for our loved ones, for society.