 Urban air quality and indoor air pollution:  A significant proportion of Europe’s population live in areas, especially cities, in which ozone, nitrogen dioxide and other pollutants are higher than the recommended standards.  Air pollutants released in one country may be transported in the atmosphere.  It damages our environment and our health

Health problems : Heart diseases, respiratory diseases, lung cancer, skin cancer… It can reduce life expectancy of the average city dweller by 8 months in Europe, or up to 2 years in some areas (Study of the EEA).

ASTHMA LUNG CANCER

 Climate changes : floods, droughts…  Other problems : Causes acid rain, damages forests, acidifies soils and waters, reduces crop yields and corrodes buildings.

Only a few energy, oil, steel and cement companies are responsible for a significant part of CO2 emissions in Spain and account for 65% of these emissions.

[]CO2 emission [ ]. Index with regard to the year bases= 100 []Index –UE[15] []Objective Kioto-UE(2012) []Objective Kioto-Spain(2012)

Comparison of pollution in Europe

Average annual nitrogen dioxide in micrograms per m 3

Use more renewable sources of energy (solar, wind, water, tidal energy..) Make greater use of public or collective transport. Try not to buy items that are not biodegradable. Recycle waste. Not throwing rubbish in the street. Try to avoid using insecticides.

Care for forests, not causing fires or destroy green areas in cities. Propose measures to improve public transport. Avoid burning trash and tires. Avoidance of smoking. Reduce consumption of electricity, which will contribute to reduce the emission of contaminants and particles. Apply the 3 Rs rule : Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.