Climate change has negative effects on temperature, sea level, and weather but these types of gases can also have negative effects on humans, vegetation, and ecosystems. Some gases that can have major effects on all of these are low-level ozone and carbon.
Low-Level Ozone
Low-level ozone is the result of sunlight mixed with nitrous oxide and volatile organic compounds. These two substances can come from gasoline vapors, chemical solvents, electrical utilities, and industrial facilities. In clinical trials on both humans and animals, this gas has had negative effects. Some symptoms exhibited at 200-500ug/m^3 are coughing, throat dryness, eye discomfort, chest discomfort, throat pain, and a headache. To elaborate further, it can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Over time exposure can also inflame the lining of lungs, reduce lung function, and scar lung tissue.
In plant matter, low-level ozone targets slow growing agricultural crops and trees with a long lifespan. For example, we've seen a change in color of leaves and defoliation of sensitive plants. Scientific data has recorded a lower yield and reduced growth of crops. To elaborate, the U.S Office of Technology Assessment has assessed that a concentration of 120 ug / m^3 of seasonal average concentrations can reduce crop yields in ranges of 0.3-5.1% for corn, 0.9-51% for wheat, 5.3-24% for soybeans, and 16-35% for cotton.
Besides a lowered yield there is also the matter of overall plant health. With low-level ozone, there is a prediction for a lowered resistance to fungi, bacteria, viruses, and insects. This stress on sensitive plants reduces yield, growth, and reproduction of future generations.The various effects on the impact of plants to low-level ozone depend on the duration of exposure, concentration, frequency, the interval between exposure, time of day, season, site-specific conditions, and the different developmental stages of plants. Having other gases in effect, such as sulfur dioxide, can increase a plant's sensitivity to various gases, not just low-level ozone.
Carbon
When talking about carbon I'll be talking about carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other various forms of carbon. Carbon dioxide neurological effects on humans were studied by two doctors from Harvard in 2015, Dr.Joe Allen, and Dr.John Spergner, and they found that there was a negative impact on their higher cognitive functions and decision-making skill. This was based on the test subjects crisis response, information usage, ability to strategize which were the areas most heavily impacted by the Co2 exposure.
In vegetation, the excess carbon dioxide is both negative and positive. Plant growth may increase but they will require more water to sustain their form as a result. There is also the issue of the increase in temperature that will occur, resulting in higher evaporation of moisture. Storms will become more intense and the heavy downpour results in the soil being unable to absorb it before it evaporates. A high concentration of Co2 can also decrease photosynthesis in certain types of plants. It can also reduce nutritional value in wheat and other plants.
To conclude, low-level ozone is typically not thought as a real threat to humans and plants. It is something we should discuss more due to it being a real threat to the agricultural business and human lives. Carbon is usually thought in terms of only climate change and fossil fuels and few other circumstances but we should be studying the full effects. With education of the public, we will be able to make more science-based decisions as a country.
Increased awareness of all aspects of the environment and how it'll change over the next few decades will assist us in being more aware of our actions and actions of corporations. We can aim for a better future then the one predicted. Even if we don't make it, any step in the right direction is one for future generations not to inherit our mistakes.
