Germany faces a serious problem of air pollution, which has dramatic consequences for human wellness and the environment. According to the study of the national Environment Agency (UBA), air quality in many regions of the country is bad. Experts point to Poland as the main culprit, claiming that a crucial part of the contamination flows from behind Odra.
Main sources of pollution
Coal power plants and coal-fired heating systems are the main origin of pollution. According to UBA experts, almost half of the dust suspended over Berlin was to come from Poland, while the pollutants generated in Germany accounted for only 12% of the full amount of smog. In another cities specified as Hamburg, Dresden or Hannover, the percent of PM2.5 particles coming from outside the east border ranged from 25% to 35%.
The problem increases in periods of no rainfall
Experts emphasize that the problem of smog is expanding in periods of rainless and dry conditions. Prof. Dr. Hartmut Herrmann of the Institute of Tropospheric Research. Leibniza explains that particulate substance can persist in the atmosphere for respective days, which facilitates their long-distance movement. This means that the smog, which was created in Poland, can actually scope Germany, especially under favourable wind conditions.
Air contamination and human health
Air contamination has a immense impact on human health. German environmental authorities inform that prolonged vulnerability to advanced concentrations of suspended dust can lead to serious diseases specified as lung cancer, heart attack or stroke. For this reason, it is recommended that susceptible people avoid intense physical activity in the open air on high-pollutants days.
Internal causes of smog in Germany
Although German reports indicate the advanced impact of Polish sources of pollution, it is worth noting that the problem of smog in Germany besides has its interior causes. Industry, transport and their own power plants besides make crucial amounts of pollution. In addition, the Polish government has in fresh years taken measures to reduce emissions, specified as old furnace exchange programmes or investments in renewable energy sources.
Coordinated actions
In order to effectively reduce the level of smog, coordinated action is needed at both national and global level, taking into account key sources of contamination and possible solutions. Cooperation between governments, institutions and organisations is essential to this end. According to the Central Statistical Office data, in 2020, the carbon dioxide emissions in Poland amounted to about 320 million tonnes, which accounted for about 10% of carbon dioxide emissions in the European Union. Germany, on the another hand, emitted around 700 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2020, accounting for about 20% of carbon dioxide emissions in the European Union.
Conclusion
Accordingly, smog in Germany is simply a complex problem which requires coordinated action at both national and global level. Although Poland is indicated as 1 of the main culprits, the problem of smog in Germany besides has its interior causes. In order to effectively reduce the level of smog, cooperation between governments, institutions and organisations is necessary, as well as investments in renewable energy sources and reductions in emissions.
