How can you help reduce air pollution?

Air pollution, including that of ozone, is mainly the result of human activities. The small things you do every day can help reduce air pollution and hence improve the protection of the environment as well as human health.  Here are some tips on what you can do, on a day-to-day basis, to help prevent air pollution.

• Take public transport or carpool!
• Walk or use the bike!
• If you have to use your car…Make sure to have the right tire pressure. If the pressure is down by 0.5 bars, the car needs 5 % more fuel and also gives off more pollution.
• Driving with the air conditioner turned on increases fuel consumption by 30 %; driving with windows open only increases it by 5 %.
• Letting your car warm up while stationary can make it consume up to 50 % more fuel. If you start driving immediately, the engine will reach its working temperature quicker.
• Using a roof rack on your car can increase fuel consumption by 20 to 30 %. Bicycles are better attached to the back of the car.
• If you need to buy a car, be careful to check its fuel economy. With an environment-friendly car you will use less fuel and produce less exhaust fumes.
• Go for local produce!
• Save electricity!  Don't leave your electronic devices - TV sets, computers, DVD's - on stand-by mode. Switch them off completely and you will save about 10 % of your electricity bill.