Photochemical smog is formed when pollutants such as VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and nitrogen oxides react to sunlight. Forming a brown colored fog at ground level, photochemical smog is a product of emissions from the combustion fossil fuels as well as sunlight. Nitrates created from the combustion of fuels react with sunlight to create ozone. Ozone at the troposphere, earth’s lowest layer of the atmosphere, is extremely dangerous, even though it is safe higher in the atmosphere. This means that we breathe in all of the pollutants released in photochemical smog. Photochemical smog is a secondary pollutant, due to the reaction between the nitrates and the sun.

Photochemical smog is most likely to form in urban areas with a lot of sunlight. Places like Los Angeles and Miami are very susceptible to photochemical smog, as they are big cities with sunlight year round. Photochemical smog even earned the nickname “Los Angeles Smog” upon its discovery in Los Angeles in the 1940s.

One of the most harmful aspects of photochemical smog is its impact on human health. The pollutants that we breathe due to the smog are VOCs, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and ozone, just to name a few. These chemicals can cause heart and lung disease as well as long lasting respiratory issues (Photochemical Smog- What It Means For Us). Another negative effect due to photochemical smog is the fact that it significantly reduces visibility. This makes travelling, particularly driving, extremely dangerous due to the higher risk of accidents and death. Also, in terms of city aesthetic, photochemical smog makes cities less visually appealing, and could deter people from visiting the area.

In Mexico City, a hotspot for photochemical smog, has implemented measures to prevent the smog. According to the article, “Mexico’s Mega City Advances the Fight for Cleaner Air,” “Mexico City government has continued to strengthen vehicular emissions control with advanced technologies and surveillance programs, including Green inspectors and remote sensors to identify high emitting as well as non-compliance vehicles; improve fuel quality for both diesel and gasoline; improve public transportation (Metrobus); equip buses with newer diesel technologies; introduce Hybrid and electric taxis; improve mobility through bike-sharing program (Ecobici) and enhanced pedestrian areas.” In addition to these steps, Mexico has also taken further steps to cleaner energy, reducing the amount of emissions released from the burning of fossil fuels.

References:

Gardner, Sarah. “LA Smog: the Battle against Air Pollution.” Marketplace, 14 July 2014, www.marketplace.org/2014/07/14/la-smog-battle-against-air-pollution/.

“Mexico’s Mega City Advances the Fight for Cleaner Air.” Climate & Clean Air Coalition, 13 Aug. 2018, www.ccacoalition.org/en/news/mexicos-mega-city-advances-fight-cleaner-air#:~:text=Mexico%20City%20government%20has%20continued,diesel%20and%20gasoline%3B%20improve%20public.

“Photochemical Smog- What It Means For Us.” EPA Information, Mar. 2004, www.epa.sa.gov.au/files/8238_info_photosmog.pdf.

William Anderson (Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team), “Photochemical Smog: History & Summary,” in SchoolWorkHelper, 2019, https://schoolworkhelper.net/photochemical-smog-history-summary/.

Petroleum is a depleting resource, and the transportation sector in the United States uses most of the available petroleum. As petroleum is a nonrenewable resource, it cannot replenish itself before humans use all of the resource. Petroleum is a fossil fuel, and it takes millions of years to create. Despite the amount of time required for petroleum and other fossil fuels to be recreated in the earth, it is still the most used energy source for transportation. With the development of technology, we can begin to shift our energy sources from nonrenewable to renewable, if only the finances and effort are put in.

A way to combat the petroleum issue is to convert to solar energy. Using photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into energy, cars that use solar energy are called ‘solar cars’ (Vyas). They are electric cars that have solar panels on the roof of the car, which charge when the car is in the sun. Not only do these cars not require petroleum, but it relies solely on the electricity produced from the sun (Vyas). The energy is then stored in the car battery for use. These cars are still in the prototype stages and initially may be out of budget for many car owners, but may decline in price over time. However, money would be saved on buying fuel, as it would not be required for the car to run. Also, solar cars do not produce harmful emissions or even noise (Vyas).

How much energy required to drive a solar car is based on how far you typically drive. According to an article from EnergySave titled, “How Many Panels Do You Need For Your EV,” most energy cars need around 4,000 kWh per year, and most solar car panels provide around 320-330 Watts. The article also states that “pulling all of these data points together creates a range of solar panels required to power different types of EVs each year in different regions. Depending upon where you live, charging an electric vehicle typically requires 7 or 9 solar panels. ” This is because it is sunnier in some areas in the United States than it is in others. As you can see in the chart (EnergySave), there are less solar panels needed for cars in states in the southwest. This is a potential drawback to a wide adoption of solar cars, as it is not always sunny in many parts of the country. However, even converting to solar cars in the sunnier areas can make a difference in overall petroleum use.

Even though the initial cost of solar cars may be high, as more research and money are put into the production for solar energy, the average cost for consumers will go down over time. Investing in solar powered cars could be a very realistic solution to the petroleum issue.

Resources:

https://interestingengineering.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-solar-powered-cars

https://www.dasolar.com/solar-energy/solar-powered-cars#:~:text=Like%20solar%2Dpowered%20homes%2C%20solar,straight%20to%20an%20electric%20motor.&text=Solar%20cars%20use%20photovoltaic%20cells%20to%20convert%20sunlight%20into%20energy.

https://news.energysage.com/how-many-panels-do-you-need-for-your-ev/

France, along with many other European Union countries, has become a world leader in developing policy for better sustainability. The Paris Agreement, founded in France, holds the opportunity for 196 countries to be held accountable for their part in climate change. I found it very surprising when I researched and saw that France is actually ranked as having the ninth largest ecological footprint in the world as of 2013 (Pignataro 1).

As shown in the graph above, most of France’s ecological footprint is made up of its carbon emissions at 56% percent of its total. Although France does not have the largest ecological footprint in the world, it has some of the highest percentages of crop land and grazing land in its overall footprint. This is because France is Europe’s leading country in agriculture. France has the highest utilized agricultural acreage (UAA) in Europe and produces the most amount of agricultural goods (Ministère de l’Agriculture et de l’Alimentation). This would make sense, as France is very famous for their luxury cheeses and fine meats!

When compared to the United States, France’s ecological footprint does not seem as looming, but in 2015, France’s footprint was about the same size as California’s (Global Footprint Network). Studies have also shown that these ecological footprints also correspond with the Gross Domestic Product of each country shown on the map (Global Footprint Network). This further proves that the type of lifestyles held by areas or regions directly impacts their ecological footprint.

France has taken steps to better its sustainability and lessen its carbon emission by promoting more energy efficient methods of transportation. Biking and walking are highly encouraged, and many people ride segways! Also, the Paris Agreement set in place will give France stricter guidelines to sustainable living. We will most likely not see the effects of a more sustainable lifestyle in the near future, but hopefully France’s efforts lessen their ecological footprint.

Sources:

Global Footprint Network. (2017, January 31). California has the same size Ecological Footprint as France. How do other states and countries compare? Retrieved from https://www.footprintnetwork.org/2017/01/31/california-size-ecological-footprint-france-states-countries-compare/

Ministère de l’Agriculture et de l’Alimentation. (2015, September 22). Overview of French Agricultural Diversity Retrieved from https://agriculture.gouv.fr/overview-french-agricultural-diversity#:~:text=France%20has%20the%20biggest%20utilized,third%20in%20pig%20meat%20production.

Pignataro, J.R. (2017, May 02). 5 Worst And Best Countries For The Environment Ranked By Ecological Footprint Retrieved from https://www.ibtimes.com/5-worst-best-countries-environment-ranked-ecological-footprint-2533559

World Wildlife Fund. (2015, December 14). Landmark Climate Deal Struck in Paris. Retrieved from www.worldwildlife.org/stories/landmark-climate-deal-struck-in-paris.