Urban air pollution has taken over the headlines recently, but it’s not the usual suspects. Now we are talking about Paris, London and Madrid, three European capitals that were once touted for their clean air. These three European capitals have now joined Mexico City, Beijing and New Delhi, India in a list of the globe’s most polluted cities.
Paris has had recurring problems with exceptionally high air pollution. Paris police have implemented the 24-hour odd-even scheme twice before, in 2014 and 2015, sometimes targeting even-numbered vehicles and sometimes odd-numbered ones.
This Tuesday, only vehicles with even-numbered license plates will be allowed to be on the roads in Paris and its nearest suburbs, reports the Associated Press. About 140 checkpoints around the city will root out odd-numbered cars and send them home.
Public transportation will be free all day to encourage its use. All this is part of Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s initiative to fight the high levels of air pollution and make the city more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly, according to WTOP Washington, DC.
Getting rid of diesel-powered vehicles by 2025
Paris, Athens, Madrid and Mexico City are taking action to get rid of diesel vehicles by 2025. They will be the first major cities to enact the ban, according to an announcement released on Dec. 2 at the C40 Mayors Summit, held in Mexico City.
The ban has obvious benefits for the environment and our health. Diesel vehicles make up almost 50 percent of the auto market in Europe, and diesel vehicles release 15-times more emissions that gasoline-powered vehicles.
“We no longer tolerate air pollution and the health problems and deaths it causes,” said Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, according to Quartz. “Big problems like air pollution require bold action, and we call on car and bus manufacturers to join us.”
