Back to Topic 8.3 β€” Urban air pollution
8.3.3ESS SL30 flashcards

Managing urban air pollution

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Card 1 of 308.3.3
Question

What does a catalytic converter do?

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All 30 Flashcards β€” Managing urban air pollution

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Card 1example

Question

What does a catalytic converter do?

Answer

It converts CO, NOx, and hydrocarbons in petrol car exhaust into less harmful gases.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Cleaner exhaust

Card 2example

Question

What is an emission standard?

Answer

A regulation setting legal limits on pollutants emitted by vehicles or industries.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Legal limit

Card 3example

Question

Name one technology solution and one policy solution for air pollution.

Answer

Technology: catalytic converters/scrubbers. Policy: emission standards/LEZs/congestion charging.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Tech + policy

Card 4example

Question

What does a catalytic converter do?

Answer

It converts CO, NOx, and hydrocarbons in petrol car exhaust into less harmful gases.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Cleaner exhaust

Card 5example

Question

What is an emission standard?

Answer

A regulation setting legal limits on pollutants emitted by vehicles or industries.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Legal limit

Card 6example

Question

Name one technology solution and one policy solution for air pollution.

Answer

Technology: catalytic converters/scrubbers. Policy: emission standards/LEZs/congestion charging.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Tech + policy

Card 7example

Question

What is a low emission zone (LEZ)?

Answer

An area where high-emitting vehicles are restricted or charged to reduce pollution.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Restrict dirty vehicles

Card 8example

Question

What are two common economic instruments used to reduce emissions?

Answer

Congestion charges and pollution taxes (also subsidies and scrappage schemes).

πŸ’‘ Hint

Use prices

Card 9example

Question

What is a particulate filter used for?

Answer

To trap soot/particulates from diesel exhaust, reducing PM emissions.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Trap soot

Card 10example

Question

What are two common economic instruments used to reduce emissions?

Answer

Congestion charges and pollution taxes (also subsidies and scrappage schemes).

πŸ’‘ Hint

Use prices

Card 11example

Question

What is a particulate filter used for?

Answer

To trap soot/particulates from diesel exhaust, reducing PM emissions.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Trap soot

Card 12example

Question

What is a low emission zone (LEZ)?

Answer

An area where high-emitting vehicles are restricted or charged to reduce pollution.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Restrict dirty vehicles

Card 13example

Question

How do scrubbers reduce air pollution from power plants?

Answer

They remove SO2 (and sometimes particulates) from flue gases before release.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Remove SO2

Card 14example

Question

How can congestion charging reduce air pollution?

Answer

It reduces traffic volume by making driving in busy zones more expensive, lowering emissions and improving air quality.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Price reduces traffic

Card 15example

Question

How do scrubbers reduce air pollution from power plants?

Answer

They remove SO2 (and sometimes particulates) from flue gases before release.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Remove SO2

Card 16example

Question

List three evaluation criteria for pollution management strategies.

Answer

Effectiveness, cost, and equity (also feasibility and co-benefits/trade-offs).

πŸ’‘ Hint

Effectiveness + cost + fairness

Card 17example

Question

How can congestion charging reduce air pollution?

Answer

It reduces traffic volume by making driving in busy zones more expensive, lowering emissions and improving air quality.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Price reduces traffic

Card 18example

Question

List three evaluation criteria for pollution management strategies.

Answer

Effectiveness, cost, and equity (also feasibility and co-benefits/trade-offs).

πŸ’‘ Hint

Effectiveness + cost + fairness

Card 19example

Question

Why do EVs not automatically mean zero overall pollution?

Answer

They have zero tailpipe emissions, but total impact depends on how electricity is generated and on manufacturing impacts.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Electricity mix matters

Card 20example

Question

Give two behavioural/planning approaches that reduce emissions.

Answer

Public transport investment and safe cycling/walking infrastructure (also mixed-use planning and remote work).

πŸ’‘ Hint

Shift travel behaviour

Card 21example

Question

Why is β€œequity” important for measures like congestion charging?

Answer

Charges can disproportionately affect lower-income groups unless alternatives (public transport) and exemptions are provided.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Who bears the cost?

Card 22example

Question

Why is β€œequity” important for measures like congestion charging?

Answer

Charges can disproportionately affect lower-income groups unless alternatives (public transport) and exemptions are provided.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Who bears the cost?

Card 23example

Question

Give two behavioural/planning approaches that reduce emissions.

Answer

Public transport investment and safe cycling/walking infrastructure (also mixed-use planning and remote work).

πŸ’‘ Hint

Shift travel behaviour

Card 24example

Question

Why do EVs not automatically mean zero overall pollution?

Answer

They have zero tailpipe emissions, but total impact depends on how electricity is generated and on manufacturing impacts.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Electricity mix matters

Card 25example

Question

EVS link: Which worldview often prefers behaviour change over tech fixes?

Answer

Ecocentric (often prioritises demand reduction and lifestyle change), while technocentric often prefers technology solutions.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Ecocentric vs technocentric

Card 26example

Question

Essay tip: What is the best structure for evaluating urban air pollution management?

Answer

Compare multiple strategies (tech, regulation, economic, behaviour), evaluate with criteria and EVSs, then conclude with a justified judgement.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Compare β†’ evaluate β†’ conclude

Card 27example

Question

EVS link: Which worldview often prefers behaviour change over tech fixes?

Answer

Ecocentric (often prioritises demand reduction and lifestyle change), while technocentric often prefers technology solutions.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Ecocentric vs technocentric

Card 28example

Question

Essay tip: What is the best structure for evaluating urban air pollution management?

Answer

Compare multiple strategies (tech, regulation, economic, behaviour), evaluate with criteria and EVSs, then conclude with a justified judgement.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Compare β†’ evaluate β†’ conclude

Card 29example

Question

Evaluation tip: What are common limitations of tech solutions?

Answer

Cost, maintenance/enforcement, unequal access, and addressing symptoms rather than reducing demand.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Cost + equity + demand

Card 30example

Question

Evaluation tip: What are common limitations of tech solutions?

Answer

Cost, maintenance/enforcement, unequal access, and addressing symptoms rather than reducing demand.

πŸ’‘ Hint

Cost + equity + demand

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