• Question: We have been recently studying Deforestation and its effects. Are you worried about the pollution?

    Asked by Nerd 123:-) to Sam, RobB, Matt, Kylie, Bex on 16 Jun 2016.
    • Photo: Kylie Belchamber

      Kylie Belchamber answered on 16 Jun 2016:

      Good question,
      Yes I worry about pollution, specifically increasing levels of carbon dioxide, which is contributing to the warming of the earth. Scientists are trying to help this, by making materials that can absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide, or making GMO algae that can absorb it and turn it into oxygen. I’m hoping this stuff will be used soon so that we can reduce carbon dioxide!

      I also worry about pollution in peoples lungs! I see patients that have never smoked by still have lung disease because of pollution, and we estimate that hundreds of people die a week due to high pollution levels. it can also make asthma worse for kids. We did a study a few years ago, where we measured levels of pollution on Oxford street in London (the most polluted street in europe), and the levels in Hyde Park, and made people with lung disease walk up and down the street or the park. Those on the street were coughing and couldn’t breathe, but the ones in the park were fine! Pollution can make you sick, so spend lots of time in parks and the countryside 🙂

    • Photo: Matt Dunn

      Matt Dunn answered on 16 Jun 2016:

      I always get concerned when I see deforestation, trees produce oxygen from carbon dioxide (the opposite to us), so without trees the atmosphere would be very different.

      Pollution is also a big deal, but luckily there has been a big movement over the last 10-15 years to reduce pollution, and with electric cars and carbon filters becoming more efficient, I think things will only get better 🙂

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