Persuasive Speech on Clean Air

Running head: PERSUASSIVE SPEECH ON CLEAN AIR 1
A persuasive Speech on Investing in things that promote clean air
Name
Institutional Affiliation

Persuasive Speech on Clean air 2
Topic: Investing in things that promote clean air
General Purpose: The general purpose of this speech is to persuade class members to invest in
things that would promote clean air.
Specific purpose: The specific purpose of this speech is to persuade the class not to engage in
activities that promote air pollution and how to invest in things that promote clean air.
Introduction
Today, we are going to learn about something that is sweeping the environment at an
alarming rate. Are you aware that by 2050, at least 6 million deaths will occur annually from air
pollution (World Health Organization, 2018)? When air pollution is mentioned, we often think of
the fumes and smokes from power plants and industries. According to the World Health
Organization’s 2018 report, 9 out of 10 people inhale contaminated air globally. We are going to
learn the causes of air pollution, its effects, and how the consequences can be changed
consequently learning ways of investing in things that promote clean air. This syndrome can be
understood by examining available data and evidence based on reports from health and
environmental specialists.
Air Pollution
Air pollution refers to release of various gases, fine solids, and liquid aerosols into the
atmosphere at a rate that exceeds the standard capacity of the environment to absorb, dilute or
dissipate them (Devinny, Deshusses, & Webster, 2017). Air pollution is caused mostly by human
activities (World Health Organization, 2018). For a complete examination of air pollution to be
done, it is advisable we begin with the factors responsible for air pollution. Human activities like
agricultural activities, burning of fossil fuels, mining operations, animal causes, the mega
pollutants from factories, and power plants remain the significant air pollutants.

Persuasive Speech on Clean air 3
Causes of Air Pollution
According to World Health Organization (2018), contamination of air results mostly from
human activities, though natural phenomena like dust storms, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires
contribute as well. Fossil fuels like oil and coal used for road transport and generating electricity
produce sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Gasoline-powered vehicles
produce carbon monoxide through incomplete combustion of the fuels. Examples of fossil fuels
include natural gas, gasoline, and fuel oil. Their combustion takes place in automobiles, power
plants, and other forms of combustion. Also, automobiles produce lead particles into the
atmosphere. Whereas the diesel fuel is burnt to propel the engines of automobiles, the highly
poisonous lead is released into the atmosphere in the form of lead fumes (World Health
Organization, 2018).
Furthermore, World Health Organization 2018 report shows that exhaust from factories
and industries emit large amounts of harmful hydrocarbons, chemicals, and organic compounds
which contaminate air. Factories and industrial emissions are the leading causes of air pollution.
They emit large volumes of minute particles of liquids and solids in the form of fumes, smokes,
dust, and soot which remain suspended in the atmosphere causing different health problems.
Also, agricultural activities like the use of insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers produce
harmful chemicals which find their way into the air. Besides, the application of fertilizer is
responsible for the pollution of the atmosphere by nitrogen dioxide.
Cows through their dung are responsible for the production of 15% of the greenhouse
gases with the other livestock combined amounting to only 3% (Devinny, Deshusses, & Webster,
2017). This study also asserted that mostly the dung release methane which is 20 times more