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Smog in Shanghai, China

Before and After: Ohio Valley 2005-2011

Image showing Air Quality in the Ohio Valley, 2005. Image showing Air Quality in the Ohio Valley, 2011.

NASA Goddard's Scientific Visualization Studio/T. Schindler.

The impact of technology to reduce emissions of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide from coal-fired power plants is apparent in satellite imagery, which shows the signal of pollution blink out over time. Still, while air quality is improving, power plant emissions of carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas – remain an issue.