Air pollution is the world’s largest environmental health threat. According to the UNECE air pollution accounts for 7 million deaths worldwide each year. The causes vary from acute asthma, cancer, pulmonary illness and heart disease. Outdoor air pollution has been classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Read More: Air Pollution and Health
Coal-fired power stations emit high levels of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), Particulate Matter (PM) and many other substances that have been identified as hazardous to health.
The Centre for Environmental Rights sourced an article written by Dr Holland and submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs in 2017, which estimates that over 2200 South Africans die every year as a result of the toxic pollution of coal-fired coal plants.
In the Gauteng Air Quality Governance conference, it was noted that air quality continues to be a national challenge. And according to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, Eskom emits more sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere than any single power-producing company in the world.
Much to be done to improve air quality in parts of South Africa
Despite this Eskom has submitted applications for postponements and suspension of pollution standards compliance timeframes and weaker limits for some coal-fired power stations.
And read on for the Mail & Guardians' take on the matter: Eskom Pollution Delays are Unlawful
What is being done by our power supplier & leaders?
The future of our environment is currently in the hands of the "powers that be" who while having identified the crisis and are armed with a mountain of data, are seeming unable to make any significant improvements to the situation.
To date, Eskom has just signed agreements (14 Oct 22) with renewable power producers to use the land around their existing power plants for alternative power generating facilities. Fast forward to the year 2035 when Eskom hopes to have replaced half of the existing thermal power with renewable energy.
So we have a choice to wait for the next decade for clean power or do something to help ourselves in the meantime.
Green Overall is out on a daily basis helping the country convert to solar power one household and business at a time.
You don't have to hold your breath for the air to be cleaner sometime in the future, be a part of the change and step into the future.