Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Learn and Educate Others
• Part 2 of 3: Take Action on the Roads
• Part 3 of 3: Take Action at Home
• Tips

It sounds like acid rain is something from a sci-fi movie, however, unfortunately, this is the real reality. While most of the chemicals and gases that contribute to acid rain are emitted from large power plants, you may be surprised to find that your own habits have an impact on the formation of acid rain. Go to Step 1 to learn how to reduce your impact on acid rain.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Learn and Educate Others

The first step to reducing acid rain is to study the entire problem. It is very difficult to decide something if nothing is known about what you are faced with. And when you get an idea of ​​the situation, you can enlighten others about the issue.

1. 1 Be aware that acid rain is just one form of acid rain. In fact, acid rain is a form of acid rain. Acidic precipitation is wet (rain, sleet, snow, fog) and dry (gases and dust particles). When you are fighting acid rain, you are actually fighting all forms of acid rain.
2. 2 Understand the causes of acid rain. Acidic precipitation is caused by chemicals such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, which rise high into the atmosphere and mix with oxygen, water, and other atmospheric chemicals. When power plants burn fossil fuels (coal, for example) to generate electricity, they also release most of the sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides responsible for acid rain. These same chemicals are emitted in the exhaust of trucks and cars.
3. 3 Find out what effect acid rain has on the planet. Acid rain is harmful to everything - people, forests, lakes, rivers, and even building structures. They are responsible for a number of health problems, including many respiratory conditions such as asthma. Acid rain seeps into the soil, causing trees to ache and die. They alter the pH levels of lakes and rivers, killing aquatic life and disrupting the food chain. What's more, these rains are destroying buildings, damaging the paint and metal cladding of statues and houses, causing paint to flake off and metal to rust. Overall, acid rain is a really terrible thing.
4. 4 Be aware of the steps the government is taking. In 1990, the United States government passed the Clean Air Act, part of which included the Acid Rain Program. According to these measures, power plant hoods were invented, which regulate the amount of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides produced.
5. 5 Educate other people. Sometimes all people need is a little information that would trigger their own desire to help. If you know of people with gas-guzzling cars that consume a lot of fuel, talk to the owners! Remind neighbors to turn off electronics. Educate your children to keep future generations working to reduce acid rain.
6. 6 Write to your MP or submit a petition. Write a petition to burn less coal in power plants because coal is one of the dirtiest sources of energy. Invite the congressman to support solar or wind power generation.

Part 2 of 3: Take Action on the Roads

1. 1 Invest in a car with low NOx emissions. Cars, trucks, and buses contribute enormously to acid rain. The exhaust gases from these vehicles release nitrogen oxides into the air, contributing to the chemicals already emitted by power plants. Do your research and get a car that produces less exhaust fumes.
   • Every year, the United States Environmental Protection Agency releases a list of the "greenest" cars - the cars that have the least harmful effects on the environment and the lowest emissions. Review this list before purchasing a vehicle.
2. 2 Use public transport or a shared car. If possible, do not drive your car at all. Take time to browse the different public transport options that are available to you. Is there a bus or train that you can take to get to work? If you travel long distances by car, ask your colleagues or friends if they would like to ride with you. There is no need for five people to drive five separate cars - so why not drive together and do your part in the fight against acid rain?
3. 3 Ride your bike or walk if possible. This option is even better than public transport, because it does not generate any emissions at all. If possible, use a bicycle or walk to your destination. So you will get some fresh air, and stretch a little - besides, you will benefit the planet.
4. 4 Buy local goods. While this may sound like an odd move that falls under the category of "on the road", you will be shocked to learn that the food industry is lauding a big contributor to emissions. If you live in California and buy blueberries from Maine, those blueberries have to be shipped — either by land or by air — and you have to burn huge amounts of gas along the way. Instead, you can try to buy local produce that comes from a very near-by area.
   • Better yet, plant your own vegetable garden. Nothing is more local than produce grown in your backyard. Start with vegetables and herbs, and then try your hand at growing fruit trees and berry bushes.

Part 3 of 3: Take Action at Home

1. 1 Consider switching to alternative energy sources. Power plants supply us with the electricity we use every day, which is the main reason for acid rain. If you have the ability to do so, invest in some solar panels to lower your power consumption. Consider building a wind turbine or investing in hydropower.
2. 2 Turn off lights and other electrical appliances. A great way to reduce the amount of electricity you need is to remember to turn off all electrical appliances when not in use. Do not turn on the lights when it is still light enough for work. When you are not using an electrical appliance, disconnect it from the mains. Even when the appliance is on the “off” button, it can still consume electricity - take care of the environment - and unplug it.
3. 3 Buy low power appliances. Some appliances have much lower power consumption than others. Replace standard light bulbs with CFLs, which use 2/3 less energy.Look for electronics that carry the commonly accepted Energy Star label for energy efficiency. This label ensures that the appliances you buy - be they computers, televisions, refrigerators, or kitchen appliances - are energy efficient.
4. 4 Monitor the use of air conditioning and heating. They consume a lot of energy to heat and cool your home. Let the season dictate the temperature in your home. You should strive to keep the heater temperature within a radius of 72 ° F (22.2 ° C) in summer and 68 ° F (20 ° C) in winter.
5. 5 Insulate your home. It is also important to check that your heated or cooled air is not escaping from your home. Take the time to make sure your walls are insulated. Insert weatherstripping or airtight grommets along windows or doors to minimize air leaks from your home.

Tips

• Do not incinerate trash as this process produces chemicals that contribute to acid rain.
• Plant trees or your own vegetable garden.
• Try to buy fewer mass-produced products, reducing demand for them and potentially reducing the use of manufactured materials.
• Reduce consumption to reduce fuel and oil consumption from manufacturing and utilities.