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Acid rain is a broad term to describe the several ways that acids fall out of the atmosphere to the Earth via rain, snowfall, particulates, and fogs. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and to a lesser extent nitrogen oxides (NOx) are the primary pollutants that cause acid rain. Acid rain occurs when these gases react in the atmosphere with waterand oxygen to form various acidic compounds. About 80 percent of the SO2 emitted in the United States comes from electricity generating power plants.
Acid rain causes acidification of lakes and streams threatening sensitive aquatic life and contributes to damage of trees at high elevations and many sensitive forest soils. In addition, acid rain accelerates the decay of building materials and paints, including irreplaceable historical buildings, statues, and sculptures.
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Global climate change and global warming are phrases typically used interchangeably to describe the negative impact of greenhouse gases on the Earth’s climate. In the U.S., energy-related activities account for three-quarters of our human-generated greenhouse gas emissions, mostly in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from burning fossil fuels. More than half the energy-related emissions come from large stationary sources such as power plants, while about a third comes from transportation.
Continuation of historical trends of greenhouse gas emissions will result in additional warming over the 21st century, with current projections of a global increase of between 2ºF and 10ºF by 2100. This warming will have real consequences including a rise in sea level that will gradually inundate coastal areas, changes in precipitation patterns, increased risk of droughts and floods, threats to biodiversity, and numerous potential challenges for public health and socio-economic stability.
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Smog is a word created by combining the words smoke and fog and is generally used to describe the yellowish haze over US cities in the summer months. Ozone, three atoms of oxygen linked together, is the primary component of smog and is formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) react with other atmospheric compounds and sunlight. In most areas of the United States, NOx is the primary contributing factor to ozone and smog formation and also causes acid rain. NOx is emitted from power plants, automobiles and airplanes, and other fuel combustion processes.
Smog can irritate your eyes, nose and throat and at elevated levels worsens existing heart and lung problems. In extremely high levels it may result in an early death. Smog also threatens sensitive flora and fauna, and severely impacts visibility at numerous areas across the United States, including many National Parks, and most major cities.
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