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More on District 5/9
​Issues 

More on District 5/9
Possible Solutions

It’s a huge concern because according to the National Geographic, constant exposure to air pollution can cause long term health problems such as lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease. It also affects the environment; the dirty air can contaminate the water and ground which kills crops. According to the Department of Environmental Protection, air pollution also causes acid rain from the nitric and sulfuric acids. This type of rain damages buildings, sculptures, forests and much more. And lastly, air pollution traps ozone which contributes to climate change. It’s a worldwide issue and affects everyone, from animals to buildings.
 
Luckily, this issue is not completely ignored. An article written by 5280 Denver’s Mile High Magazine mentioned that Ddistrict 9 “have long struggled with poor air quality.” An article written by the same corporation had an interview with the council of Ddistrict 5, Amanda Sawyer. In one of her answers she subtly admitted that traffic is having negative effects on the environment: “People need reasonable alternatives to driving their cars because until we provide that, traffic and its negative effects on our environment will get worse.”
 
Statistics and research back up our concerns with this issue. According to an article written by The Denver Post “Federal records show that 46 million tons, or 36% of the total, comes from 119 large industrial polluters, including 35 power plants. More than half the electricity in Colorado still comes from burning coal despite a decade of state efforts to spur a shift to clean energy.” This shows that businesses who practice burning coal is a big contribution to this problem.
 
The same article also mentions “More than 125 million metric tons of hazardous and heat-trapping gases pollute Colorado’s air every year.” In an article published by Climate Central, Colorado is the 7th state in the US who had the biggest increase in temperature.
 
Finally in another Denver Post article from January 2020, it stated that Denver is among the top 10 worst U.S. cities for hazardous air pollution and had hazardous air pollution at elevated levels on more than 260 days a year for the past 2 years.
 
If we do not do something, Denver’s air will only grow hotter and dirtier. We are urging our representatives to help us in creating cleaner air for our neighborhoods and for future generations.

Abigail Liang, age 15, Denver Online High School 

What's Next?
Individuals, industries, and elected officials all need to contribute in order to have a reasonable impact to solving the issues. These changes can be implemented today, iIt is never too early to start. These changes can be implemented in places like our homes, jobs, schools, and other public spaces
 
Changes You Can Make To Help

• Convert to energy efficient lighting
• Cleaner commutes: walk, share public transportation, bike
• Shift to solar power
•  Keep your car in good repair. Fix exhaust and oxygen sensor problems
• Drive your car less. Vehicle exhaust is a major source of air pollution
• Plant and care for trees. Trees filter pollutants and absorb carbon dioxide.
• Turn off appliances if they aren’t being used

 
Ways the City Can Help

• Increase clean public transportation - alternative fuels
• Strengthen laws for industries so they can’t spew toxic waste
•  into the air 
• Plant more trees, especially in East Colfax

 
Solutions That Work
The GREATEST solutions for air pollution are replacing diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles with electric vehicles. Shenzhen, China, for instance, has switched from diesel-powered public transportation to an electric bus fleet with an expected 48% reduction in CO2 emissions.
 
“Since 2017 the Chinese government says around 4 million homes in the country's north have been converted to natural gas. Forcing households to make the switch from dirty-burning fuel sources such as coal, wood or corn stalks, to cleaner energy sources such as gas and electricity, is just one of the Communist Party's strategies in its long-running war against air pollution.”
( Read More Here )
 
Final Words
Now that the issue is acknowledged and possible directions to combat these conflicts have been highlighted through brainstorming, research, and observation of success within communities outside our own local reach, we can see how to make change. We can now understand that change is possible, and I strongly believe there is no better day than today to push that change. Help us young adults form a better future and help your neighbors, create a better, and healthier environment for us all. With your support, and guidance there could be a huge incredible impact.
BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD.
 
About Denver’s  Regional Air Quality Council

Alexzandar Austin, age 17, George Washington High School​