Ancillary #9
The topic I would like to investigate in my research paper is a growing problem not only in my hometown, Houston but also in many other places nationally and globally. This worldwide issue is harmful to people and plants in the environment and these side effects can vary from respiratory problems to lung cancer. Researchers have conducted experiments and found that the chances for multiple types of cancers are skyrocketing while living in an area like Houston. An article I read, stated, “Houston already releases more toxic air pollution than the top five metropolitan economies combined” (Air Alliance). My main passion for exploring this issue is to protect citizens living in this community that is having their health affected by the air quality.
A few things I would like to inquire about before I dive deeper into this topic would start with finding the main factors for the rise in bad air quality. Furthermore, why funds are not being pushed towards this issue that is very harmful to people’s health. Houston has a great economy and with the city continuing to grow, it would only make sense for the community to support this initiative to better the air quality. Obviously, the solution won’t be made overnight but I’m wondering how long it would take to see the changes we make actually pan out and create less pollution. Lastly, I’m curious to know what changes have been made to improve this issue, not only in Houston but worldwide, and how much it would take to see positive changes.
The larger debates I’m going to explore throughout this process start with how society as a whole can cut out some of these toxic emissions into our environment. Most importantly, investigating if it’s worth creating and fundraising funds for this research, or if fighting air pollution is something that can’t be fixed. Lastly, a debate I’m looking forward to is how poor air quality is harmful to people and plants. I hope to find the correlation between areas with air pollution and the health of the people living in that area. I plan to look for solutions to combat the poor air quality and why significant changes have yet to be made in the Houston area.
WC:
“Ground Level Ozone in Washington’s Air.” Ozone Pollution — Washington State Department of Ecology, https://ecology.wa.gov/Air-Climate/Air-quality/Air-quality-targets/Air-quality-standards/Ozone-pollution#:~:text=But%20at%20ground%20level%2C%20ozone,and%20contributes%20to%20smog%20formation.
“Finding Pollution-and Who It Impacts Most-in Houston.” Environmental Defense Fund, https://www.edf.org/airqualitymaps/houston/findings#:~:text=Metal%20recycling%20and%20concrete%20batch,many%20of%20Houston's%20residential%20neighborhoods.
“10 Facts You Should Know about Air Quality in Houston and 10 Questions You Should Ask Your Candidates.” Air Alliance Houston, 12 Mar. 2021, https://airalliancehouston.org/10-facts-you-should-know-about-air-quality-in-houston-and-10-questions-you-should-ask-your-candidates/.
