How European cities are fighting for the air quality

Spain, France, UK, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina. All of these large and small countries face the same threat: the sharp increase in atmospheric pollution.

According to who's investigations, air quality is the most important factor affecting people's health. However, data from the European environment Agency say that these days 90% of the inhabitants of European cities suffer from harmful microparticles in the air, the concentration of which exceeds permissible levels.





This surge of pollution, on the one hand, the growth of emissions from winter cooling and enhanced heating. There are other, no less important factor in the contamination of industrial production and transport.

Against this mortal danger, the European Union tries to find a solution. The Directive on national emission ceilings (NEC) places restrictions on 4 major pollutants. In addition, the EU plans to limit the concentration of microparticles in air.

Now every member state of the EU at the national level must take urgent action to limit emissions of these substances.

Many cities in Europe, including France, have already reduced the maximum speed of traffic in the cities from 50 to 30 km/h People are advised to walk and to ride bicycles or electric cars. But with respect to the alternating the use of cars with even and odd signs have any confusion:

"It's a good event, but is a bit annoying. Many people can not use cars in their day. So train is crowded. It is very inconvenient" — complains a resident of Paris.





Another government decision to ban vehicles which pollute the air. Any violation shall entail imposing a fine. For example, in Germany — 40 Euro with penalty points. In Sweden to 113 euros. In London, the penalties are even higher — 1205 euros for larger vehicles.

However, until now these measures had positive effects. But residents of large cities in Europe are increasingly turning to the basic rules of protection masks on the face. published

 

Source: ecotechnica.com.ua/ekologiya/1895-kak-evropejskie-goroda-boryutsya-za-kachestvo-vozdukha.html