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Today, we're going to talk about air pollution, which is a very important topic. My talk will be in these parts. First of all, I will explain what air pollution is. Next, I will cover the main sources of air pollution and the typical types of pollutants. Finally, I would like to review the history of air pollution control in Beijing. What is air pollution? Air pollution refers to the contamination of the air with substances that can have harmful effects on human health and the environment. Smog is a typical environmental issue caused by air pollution, which not only reduces visibility and affects the image of a city, but also poses a threat to human health. Understanding the sources and types of air pollutants is crucial for addressing this pressing issue. Let's look at the main sources of air pollution: Transportation, like cars, trucks, planes, and ships, is a major cause of air pollution. The burning of fuels in these vehicles releases many pollutants into the air. Factories, power plants, and mining also create a lot of air pollution by releasing chemicals and particles. Farms and livestock can also release pollutants like ==methane==. Natural events like wildfires, volcanoes, and dust storms can add to air pollution. Now, let's look at the different types of air pollutants: • Particulate matter, or PM, are tiny solid or liquid particles in the air. There are two main types: PM10 and PM2.5, which are different sizes and come from different sources. Breathing in these particles can cause health problems. • Ozone, or O3, is a gas that can be both good and bad for us. Ground-level ozone is a key part of smog and can be harmful to our ==lungs==. • Nitrogen oxides, or NOx, are gases that can help create ozone and particulate matter. They mostly come from transportation and factories. • Sulfur dioxide, or SO2, is a colorless gas that comes mostly from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil. It can cause breathing issues and contribute to acid rain. • Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an invisible, ==odorless== gas that comes from incomplete burning of fossil fuels. It can be very dangerous in enclosed spaces. • Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that can ==evaporate== into the air. They come from things like paints, cleaners, and ==solvents==, and can also help create other pollutants. Understanding these air pollutants is crucial for finding ways to clean up the air and protect our health and the environment. Beijing is an international metropolis that has experienced a rapid development. The great economic prosperity and urban growth have also resulted in the deterioration of the city’s environment, especially air quality. With the constant efforts in air pollution control over the past 20 years, emission intensity has decreased year by year and air quality has improved significantly. In the early years, from 1998 to 2008, Beijing started its first program to reduce air pollution. They targeted things like coal use, factory emissions, vehicle emissions, and dust. This led to reductions in pollutants like SO2, NO2, PM10, and CO. From 2009 to 2012, Beijing shifted to more comprehensive changes instead of just quick fixes. Air quality continued to improve, even as the city grew. From 2013 to 2017, the focus was on reducing fine particle pollution, or PM2.5. Beijing worked with nearby regions to coordinate air pollution control. They used many different tools, like laws, economic ==incentives==, and new technologies. This helped lower PM2.5 levels by 35.6% from 2013 to 2017. Over the past 20 years, Beijing has built a strong system to manage air quality. But they still have work to do to meet air quality standards. Continuing to work together will be key to further improving the air in Beijing.