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Air Quality and Climate Change Basics

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​​Air quality bas​​ics

What are air pollutants? Where do they come from? Why are they important? Check out these fact sheets and videos to learn the answers to th​​ese questions and more.​

 

 

Air Quality Objectives Factsheethttps://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/Documents/air-quality-objectives-fact-sheet.pdf, Air Quality Objectives FactsheetAir Quality Objectives Factsheet<div class="ExternalClassBD488DD455B745678F57D55AE4EE835D"><p>​​Our air is sampled every second by scientific instruments at air quality stations close to where people live, work and play. Thirty one air quality monitoring stations form the Lower Fraser Valley Air Quality Monitoring Network.​<br></p></div>
Ground-Level Ozone Factsheethttps://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/Documents/ground-level-ozone-fact-sheet.pdf, Ground-Level Ozone FactsheetGround-Level Ozone Factsheet<div class="ExternalClass75B3BAEE42544DC5B869CD8A29388C8E"><p>Ozone is a pungent gas made of three oxygen atoms. Ozone can form in two places: 1) high up in the atmosphere, and 2) right down at the ground. When it’s up high in the ozone layer it’s “good” ozone. The ozone layer acts like sunscreen lotion for the Earth – blocking out most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span><br></p></div>
Nitrogen Oxides Factsheethttps://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/Documents/nitrogen-oxides-fact-sheet.pdf, Nitrogen Oxides FactsheetNitrogen Oxides Factsheet<div class="ExternalClassB30F6455C265406A98BBCAEE8EC4D0CD"><p>Nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>) are known collectively as nitrogen oxides (NO<sub>x</sub>). On hot and sunny days, nitrogen oxides can react with other pollutants to form ground-level ozone. Nitrogen oxides can also react with other pollutants to form fine particulate matter.<br></p></div>
Particulate Matter Factsheethttps://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/Documents/particulate-matter-fact-sheet.pdf, Particulate Matter FactsheetParticulate Matter Factsheet<div class="ExternalClass1E9313CE4206457E819395EC7A052D91"><p>Particulate matter (PM) is made up of tiny solid or liquid particles that float in the air. Particulate matter can be emitted directly and it can be formed indirectly when nitrogen oxides or sulphur oxides react with ammonia in the atmosphere.</p></div>
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) Factsheethttps://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/Documents/sulphur-dioxide-fact-sheet.pdf, Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) FactsheetSulphur Dioxide (SO2) Factsheet<div class="ExternalClassCADE538B1CD54EC49735890DC918E393"><p>Sulphur dioxide is a colourless gas that smells like burnt matches. It is emitted when fossil fuels containing sulphur are burned. Sulphur dioxide can also react with other substances in the air to form particulate matter which can affect human health and create a “white haze” in the air.<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span><br></p></div>

 

 

Air Quality Part 1Air Quality Part 1216334944
Smog Formation in the Lower Fraser ValleySmog Formation in the Lower Fraser Valley218925373

Watch more videos - Air Quality Pa​rt 2, 3, and 4

​Climate change ba​sics​

What are greenho​use gases? Where do they come from? Why are they important? Check out these fact sheets and videos to learn the answers to these questions and more.​​​

 

 

Greenhouse Gas Factsheethttps://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/Documents/greenhouse-gas-fact-sheet.pdf, Greenhouse Gas FactsheetGreenhouse Gas Factsheet<div class="ExternalClassA9EB47B2AD074400A6318BD4BC1EBA04"><p>What is the greenhouse effect? Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapour are “greenhouse gases” (GHGs). What does that mean? They allow solar radiation to pass through the atmosphere, but prevent heat from escaping into space. Human activities like the burning of fossil fuels are enhancing the greenhouse effect, increasing average global temperatures, and changing climate systems.​<br></p></div>
Short-Lived Climate Forcers Factsheethttps://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/Documents/short-lived-climate-forcers-fact-sheet.pdf, Short-Lived Climate Forcers FactsheetShort-Lived Climate Forcers Factsheet<div class="ExternalClassC4736ADAECF94476B8D6580315AFD8B7"><p>Did you know that carbon dioxide isn’t the only gas that can influence the Earth’s climate? Three common air pollutants - black carbon (soot), ground-level ozone (smog) and methane - can also have a negative climate impact. We call these three substances ‘short-lived climate forcers’. Read more to find out why.</p></div>

 

 

Introduction to Climate ChangeIntroduction to Climate Change219971693
Preparing for Climate ChangePreparing for Climate Change219992829

 Related links

 

 

Air Emissionshttps://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/air-emissions, Air EmissionsAir Emissions
Air Quality Monitoringhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/air-quality-monitoring, Air Quality MonitoringAir Quality Monitoring
Caring for the Air Reportshttps://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/caring-for-the-air-reports, Caring for the Air ReportsCaring for the Air Reports
Projects and Initiativeshttps://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/projects-initiatives, Projects and InitiativesProjects and Initiatives
Current Air Qualityhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/current-air-quality, Current Air QualityCurrent Air Quality
Community Wood Smoke Reduction Programhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/community-wood-smoke-reduction-program, Community Wood Smoke Reduction ProgramCommunity Wood Smoke Reduction Program

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