This report was issued by Greenpeace India and Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) for 2020 and takes a close look at the emission hotspots of this poisonous gas due to anthropomorphic (human) activities year-on-year.
This report was issued by Greenpeace India and Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) for 2020 and takes a close look at the emission hotspots of this poisonous gas due to anthropomorphic (human) activities year-on-year.
What is Sulfur Dioxide?
Sulfur Dioxide has the Chemical formula of (SO2) and it is a gas which pollutes the air. This colorless gas results from burning fossils fuels, including coal and oil and gas. Although it can not be seen with the naked eye, it is spreading and poses a danger to human health.
The single biggest source of anthropomorphic SO2 is from burning fossil fuels, including coal, oil and gas. Dangerous levels of SO2 pollution are often found near coal-fired power plants, at oil refineries and in areas that are dominated by heavy industry.
Breathing SO2 increases the risk of health conditions including stroke, heart disease, asthma, lung cancer and premature death.
What does the report indicate ?
The report revealed that Saudi Arabia recorded the highest levels of sulfur dioxide emissions in the Middle East and North Africa in 2019, followed by Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq and Morocco. The UAE and Iraq witnessed a decrease in the emissions levels between the years 2018 and 2019, and this change was within annual variability rates while the levels of emissions of this gas in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait did not record any significant change in the same period. Morocco recorded an increase of 15% in the levels of emissions of sulfur dioxide between 2018 and 2019.
Despite the global drop in emissions by 47.25% since 2005, the Middle East and North Africa region recorded a decrease of only 8.5% in the same period. And the report shows that it did not witness any noticeable change between the years 2018 and 2019, and that the Gulf remains one of the most polluted regions with SO2 and is a major hotspot of global emissions.
Saudi Arabia is ranked fourth in the world in terms of the countries that emitted the largest amounts of sulfur dioxide around the world, while the United Arab Emirates is ranked the 19th.
Why is that a problem?
On a global level, the concentration levels of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is still dangerously high although its levels are witnessing an important increase during 2020. This is likely due to the decrease in energy demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This high concentration affects the health of billions of people, so we cannot risk exposure to high levels of emissions of this gas.
What’s the solution ?
The solution lies in stopping the investments in fossil fuels and moving towards the transition to renewable energy sources that are cheaper, safer and more sustainable, such as wind and solar energy. We can push governments and countries toward adopting stronger emissions reduction measures as well.
Our future, our safety and our children’s health are in our hands! Are you in with us ?
If you would like to know more about this poisonous gas, read the report. And don’t forget to sign our petition calling for healthy and clean air!
Discussion
Very nice article. Much appreciated. Thank you for sharing.
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I'm looking forward for your next post, I'll try to get the hang of it!|