From UK Guest Blogger Ann: The Real Price of Air Pollution–A Business Owner’s Guide

It’s not easy being green sometimes. Even the most well-intentioned eco-warrior can let their priorities slip once in a while, and as the colder half of the year comes round the corner we’re all guilty of ‘forgetting’ our principles on occasion in the face of warmth and coziness. Let’s face it: when you come in from work and can’t feel your fingers there’s nothing better than curling up with the radiator on full blast; and when it’s pouring with rain outside and you’ve got somewhere to be, who would honestly rather huddle under an umbrella or get drenched dashing for the bus than travel in the cozy comfort of their own car?

Sadly, our slips in eco-judgment come at a price. The environmental cost of fossil fuels is ever increasing as we fail to adopt greener methods of energy production, and arguably one of the greatest side-effects of fossil fuel consumption is the declining quality of the air we breathe. Air pollution is arguably one of the most pressing topics in environmental study at present: in 2013, smog epidemics in China saw pollution levels in some cities rising to over 40 times the World Health Organisation’s specified maximum limit, and the WHO estimates that around 7 million premature deaths every year are directly attributable to the chemicals contained in polluted air.

It’s hard not to feel guilty for our eco slip-ups as conscious consumers, but it’s even harder for those who work in a fuel-heavy industry but are aware of the toll their workplace is taking on the environment. Food production sites, metal processing plants and the pharmaceutical sector are all industries well known for their high levels of pollutant emissions, and as a business owner it can be incredibly hard to observe best environmental practice whilst still trying to remain an industry leader. This infographic discusses the effects of air pollution and some of the main industry culprits, and outlines some of the available UK and EU legislation, funding and incentives which make it easier for businesses to stay green.