Op-Ed: Air pollution is a serious problem and our human health is at risk. A change needs to happen quickly.

It started with a cough. Then another.

Climate change is steadily intensifying, putting our environments at greater risk. Air pollution is a serious problem, and our human health is at risk. A change needs to happen quickly. Our communities and environments in Brooklyn are being impacted in a negative way. We must create a safe environment for central Brooklyn and New York as a whole.

As a resident of Brooklyn, I can see how air pollution affects our community- in people, in their homes and their families.

Unfortunately, it’s been hard to engage in fun Brooklyn activities, like spending time in Coney Island and Prospect Park, due to the climate change. Air pollution is a prime example. According to the CDC, climate change is increasing ground level ozone layers and particulate matter air pollution in different locations. Brooklyn is one of those locations that’s being damaged negatively. In terms of the ground ozone (which is also defined as a constituent part of smoke), this alone ties to a series of health problems.

Some examples of the health effects from climate change and air pollution include decreased lung function and increases in premature deaths. The CDC and researchers have anticipated that by 2050, there will be up to 1,000-4,300 premature deaths annually in the United States due to the combined effects of ozone and particle pollution. Who’s at risk, you may ask? Older adults, children, and people with pre-existing health conditions are the most affected and at risk from ozone and particulate matter (PM).

Exposure to particulate matter can also cause serious health problems such as lung and heart disease. Furthermore, these diseases end up leaving many children and adults in the hospital. Research from The American Lung Association mentions that children or adults who have lung disease and have been exposed to air pollution and PM are more prone to threats. Some of these threats include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and immediate need for medical attention.

So how can we put an end to air pollution and adjust to climate change? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we can switch to green and renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydropower. By making this change, we’ll be able to reduce air pollution.

We can further reduce air pollution in central Brooklyn by utilizing the air quality index (AQI) to guide our outdoor activities. The EPA uses the AQI to communicate about outdoor air quality and health. The AQI is also used to measure the range of index values. For example, an AQI value of 50 or below represents good air quality, while an AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality. The EPA references that when we see that AQI is unhealthy, we should take simple steps to reduce our exposure. Some of these steps include choosing less intense activities, taking more breaks, and perhaps rescheduling activities to a time when outdoor air quality is better and safer. We can also develop an urban forest by planting trees, which is another way that we can all reduce air pollution.

When every single one of us takes precautions and takes the right steps to reduce air pollution, we’ll be able to provide a healthy and safe environment for us to live in.

Oluwatosin Afolabi is a Brooklyn resident and a student at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.