Industrial emissions from factories and power plants that burn fuels such as natural gas, coal or oil, emit smoke that gives off oxides of sulfur and nitrogen is one cause. Another cause is vehicles (e.g. cars, buses) that burn gasoline and diesel. The exhaust emitted by burning these fuels contains sulfur dioxide, an oxide of sulfur. Also, vehicles that have gas engines will produce oxides of nitrogen, another cause of acid rain. One other cause is home fires giving off smoke that contains sulfur dioxide. Some fairly minor causes are natural causes like volcanoes, swamps and rotting plants giving off sulfur dioxide. Natural causes only account for 10% of the pollution causing acid rain.

There are many possible solutions to the acid rain problem. One is to use fuels that burn more cleanly. Another solution is to burn coal more efficiently. Power plant and factory chimneys can be fitted with scrubbers that release 90-95% sulfur free smoke and also produces sludge from which gypsum, a building material, can be produced. Enforcing tight emission standards on vehicles that burn gas and diesel can also solve this problem. One other solution is fitting devices such as a catalytic converter into car exhaust pipes to minimize the amount of sulfur dioxide in car exhaust.

A number of obvious measures are available for the average individual to contribute towards reduction of the causes of acid rain. The first and most important step is to regulate the use of energy. Walk, cycle, use a car pool or take public transport to work. Switch off appliances not in use.  Buy vehicles with low NOx and properly maintain your vehicle. The popular mindset tends to be that one individual cannot make a difference to such causes. But the collective might of millions of individuals will go a long way towards reducing the causes of acid rain. Make yourself aware. Then increase awareness of people around you.

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