NO2 column density change (2005

NO2 column density change (2005 - 2014)

In urban areas of the United States, levels of NO2 fell, mainly because of environmental regulations that reduced emissions from motor vehicles and power plants. Declines are most evident in the eastern United States, though densely populated western cities such as Los Angeles (56 percent), Phoenix (54 percent), Atlanta (48 percent), New York (45 percent) also saw levels drop significantly. NO2 concentrations increased slightly in the Williston Basin (North Dakota), the Permian Basin (west Texas), and the Eagle Ford Shale (southern Texas)—areas where natural gas and oil production has increased dramatically due to horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing.

Aura observed declining NO₂ levels over most European cities, likely due to the tightening of vehicle emission standards. The cites in Europe that experienced the largest decreases were Madrid (48 percent), Lisbon (47 percent), and Barcelona (44 percent).

The story in the Middle East was mixed. In Iraq, NO2 levels rose 67 percent in Baghdad, 44 percent in Mosul, and 59 percent in Kirkuk. In Iran, Tehran saw levels rise 25 percent. In contrast, the pollutant decreased significantly in Syria, a country that has been plagued by war since 2011. Nitrogen dioxide has dropped 37 percent in Damascus and 40 percent in Aleppo.

In China, levels of nitrogen dioxide rose sharply over some cities and dropped over others. Cities in the North Central Plain saw the biggest increases; meanwhile, nitrogen dioxide was down in Shanghai (30 percent), Hong Kong (28 percent), Quangzhou (43 percent), and even Beijing (10 percent) due to environmental regulations. Beijing’s 10 percent decrease is particularly remarkable given the extent of urbanization that has occurred in recent years, note Duncan and his coauthors.Meanwhile, rising levels of nitrogen dioxide were observed in many cities in India. Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata all saw increases of 20 percent or more. In Pakistan, levels of the pollutant went up 52 percent in Lahore and 46 percent in Islamabad. In Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, NO2 increased by 79 percent, more than any other city in the world.

Via earthobservatory.nasa.gov

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Comments

How Long Does Plastic Take to Decompose?

Plastic: the unwelcome house guest at nearly every corner of our lives — from shopping bags to footwear, coffee cups to car parts. And yet, discarded, plastic doesn't just evaporate into thin air. No, it lingers. For decades. Even centuries. According to statistics presented by Visual Capitalist , plastic daily consumer goods can break down between 20 and 600 years, depending on the composition used, how they were created, and natural elements like water and sunlight they are exposed to. Let's go deeper into why plastic takes so long to break down — and what horrid messes it leaves behind in the process. Why Plastic Isn't "Natural" — and Why That's a Problem Plastic does not naturally exist. It's a product made from petroleum and natural gas. Its long, tough carbon bonds differ from anything naturally found in ecosystems, making it extremely resistant to microbial breakdown. When we toss a plastic bottle or bag away, it's not a matter of if it will s...

Fallingwater: Where Architecture Meets the Wild

Located in southwestern Pennsylvania's woods, Fallingwater is not a house, but a powerful conversation between nature and architecture. Completed in 1935 by Frank Lloyd Wright for the Kaufmanns, it's one of the only buildings that truly does seem alive—as if it grew directly out of the rock. What is so revolutionary about Fallingwater isn't its appearance—it's Wright's philosophy of organic architecture: the idea that houses are there to harmonize with nature, not dominate it. The house was actually constructed into the land, resting directly above a waterfall on Bear Run. Instead of looking out over the waterfall, Wright built the waterfall into the house, and the sound of running water is therefore a constant companion. Crafted From the Land, For the Land The materials used to build Fallingwater tell their own story. The stone was quarried on-site. Local craftsmen helped shape every contour. The horizontal lines of the cantilevered terraces echo the layered rock...

Barbie’s Feet Are Getting Flatter—And It Says a Lot About Us

Barbie’s arched feet have long been a part of her image—tiny, pointed, and forever perched for stilettos. But that’s starting to change. A new study reveals that Barbie’s feet are flattening, and that shift isn’t just about doll design—it reflects a broader change in how we think about women’s fashion and comfort. A team of podiatrists at Monash University analyzed 2,750 Barbie dolls produced between 1959 and 2024. They found that while every single doll in the 1960s had permanently arched feet made to fit high heels, only about 40% of Barbies in the 2020s still have that same foot shape. This shift isn’t random. It follows Barbie’s growing list of careers—astronaut, firefighter, doctor—where practical shoes make a lot more sense than stilettos. This change was even acknowledged in the 2023 Barbie movie. In one early scene, Margot Robbie’s Barbie steps out of her heels and her feet stay arched, just like the classic dolls. But later in the film, her feet flatten out, a visual cue ...

Ecoclimax

Search This Blog