Question

Which of the following substitutions can help reduce air pollution?
using a bike instead of a car
using dumps instead of landfills
using coal instead of oil
using fireplaces instead of a wind farms

Answer 1

Only "using a bike instead of a car" reduces air pollution.

Brief explanations:
- Using a bike instead of a car: yes — bikes produce no tailpipe emissions and reduce traffic, lowering overall emissions.
- Using dumps instead of landfills: no — open dumps increase air (if burned), water and soil pollution; properly managed landfills with gas capture are less harmful.
- Using coal instead of oil: no — coal generally produces more particulate matter, SO2, mercury and CO2 than oil.
- Using fireplaces instead of wind farms: no — fireplaces emit smoke and particulates; wind farms generate electricity with essentially no air pollution.