Politico reporter Antonia Zimmermann writes that tougher EU air pollution standards have prompted a backlash in cities across the continent.
In a nutshell:
As the European Union sets its sights on tightening air quality standards, city leaders find themselves in the crossfire of a growing battle over pollution reduction measures. From Berlin's contentious debate over pedestrianizing an iconic boulevard to Stockholm's plans to ban petrol and diesel cars, and the resistance in Segovia against low-emission zones, the push for cleaner air is becoming politically charged. However, despite the controversy, the EU's commitment to aligning air quality standards with World Health Organization recommendations by 2035 is clear, leaving cities grappling with the daunting task of implementation while navigating divisive political landscapes.
Key quote:
“Many local governments are not really motivated” to take action because they “don't feel it is a public health crisis,” said Christian Oltra, a senior researcher at the Spanish Center for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research who studies the public acceptance of low-emission zones.
The big picture:
With over 300,000 premature deaths attributed to poor air quality across the bloc in 2019, the urgency to reduce pollution and align with World Health Organization standards by 2035 underscores the critical connection between cleaner air and improved human health. As cities grapple with divisive political battles and the challenge of implementing more stringent air pollution control measures, the well-being of millions across Europe hangs in the balance.
Read the article at Politico.
Be sure to read Kristina Marusic's piece for EHN noting that air pollution from human-made sources like factories and vehicles is significantly more dangerous to patients with certain lung diseases than other types of air pollution.
