What I read
I have been interested in environmental issues in the world for many years but this may be the first time to know that air pollution is a big ploblem in London.
For me, China and India could be very famous for air pollution. I could know there are lots of concerns about air pollution in London.
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What it says
London’s air quality is within its legal limits for the first time in mid-January for ten years. However, unfortunately, it bleached the limits for nitrogen dioxide(NO2) by 6 January.
It is said in the article that conventional cars are to blame on this air pollution, so some regulations would be introduced in some areas by the mayor to improve the air quality. And another problem is PM2.5, which may increase the likelihood of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The air campaigner said The Mayor has introduced several good initiatives but much more needs to be done.
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My response
European countries are much more concerned about the environmental issues than other countries, such as global warming. So it was in Paris that new international agreement against global warming could be achieved.
I was surprised that London had air pollution. I think in Europe, air pollution is not a current but a past problem. Nowadays, some European countries have made a goal for banning the production gasoline engine cars in the next few decades. I think that policy reflects the concern about environment. Of course it is important to value the environmental protection, but economic growth is also important especially in developing countries. Environmental protection is sometimes affecting negative impact on economic growth. So the balanced policies on environmental protection and economic growth are needed to the world economies.
I have heard a lot of air pollution in London and I agree with you in the point that Europe try to reduce the utilization of gasoline, and this sign seems to have an effect on their economies. However, I have a question that could air pollution of London be affected by industrial revolution in the past?
ReplyDeleteThanks you
I thought Taka's post was interesting because I had assumed London's air was OK. I still think it's not bad, but as the article notes, it could be better. I'm sure it is much better today than it was 100 years ago when coal was commonly burned in the city. I think Top is right that the industrial revolution made it much worse than it is now - you can see references to this in the literature from that time, such as Sherlock Holmes stories which talk of the deadly fogs mixed with the products of burning coal. And the horses that were used for transportation were not clean.
ReplyDeleteThe same is true of Bangkok. When I first visited in the late 1980s, the air pollution was awful. When I then went on to Taipei, that was even worse. Both are much, much better today than they were a few decades ago. I think the BTS and MRT help a lot, also cleaner, more efficient cars. Perhaps it would help if petrol prices were higher, and if petrol companies were taxed enough to undo the damage that their products cause the environment we have to live in.
But i also agree with Taka's point that we don't want to destroy economic growth, which is important for raising the standard of living.