Air pollution particles from coal-fired power plants are more harmful to human health than many experts realised

In an article on The Conversation website, Lucas Henneman, Assistant Professor of Engineering at George Mason University discusses the results of a study he and colleagues undertook to better understand the health effects in the US. Pollution from coal power plants contributes to far more deaths than scientists realized, study shows Air pollution particles … Continue reading Air pollution particles from coal-fired power plants are more harmful to human health than many experts realised →

New EEA report on European air quality health assessment

Air pollution in Europe remains well above recommended World Health Organization (WHO) levels, posing a significant threat to our health. According to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) air quality health assessment published this week, 253,000 deaths could have been avoided in the EU if the fine particulate matter concentrations had met WHO recommendations. Exposure … Continue reading New EEA report on European air quality health assessment →

Paris to hold vote on whether SUVs should pay more for parking

The vote, to be held next February 4th, will be the second city-wide referendum on urban matters, after residents in April voted to ban rental e-scooters from the capital. An AFP news item on the Le Monde website discusses the upcoming referendum. Paris will have residents vote on increasing parking fees for heavy SUVs … Continue reading Paris to hold vote on whether SUVs should pay more for parking →

Motorists are increasingly opting for large electric SUVs but the environmental impact of these vehicles should not be underestimated

Laura Lander, Lecturer in Engineering, King's College London and Grazia Todeschini, Reader in Engineering also at King's College London, write on The Conversation website about the environmental impact of large electric vehicles. Why surging sales of large electric vehicles raises environmental red flags Electric cars are getting bigger and heavier. In 2019, 30% of … Continue reading Motorists are increasingly opting for large electric SUVs but the environmental impact of these vehicles should not be underestimated →

Study shows that the carbon impact of the richest people’s driving habits have damaged the climate more than “those of the poorest”

The UK climate campaign group Possible calls for ‘polluter pays’ tax based on vehicle size as analysis shows that today’s SUVs often emit more carbon emissions than much older cars. Peter Walker discusses the research in an article on the Guardian website. SUVs emit more climate damaging gas than older cars do, study finds … Continue reading Study shows that the carbon impact of the richest people’s driving habits have damaged the climate more than “those of the poorest” →

Governments around the world will need to impose tighter regulations if the problems caused by air pollution are to be tackled

Although almost everyone in the world now breathes air that is polluted in some way, the unfolding story of air pollution is one of environmental inequality. In an article on the BBC News website, Kamala Thiagarajan discusses the issues and the possible solutions to the growing problem of air pollution globally. Why clean air … Continue reading Governments around the world will need to impose tighter regulations if the problems caused by air pollution are to be tackled →

Europe is facing a “severe public health crisis”, with almost everyone across the continent living in areas with dangerous levels of air pollution

A Guardian investigation has found that 98% of Europeans breathing highly damaging polluted air linked to 400,000 deaths a year. Matthew Taylor and Pamela Duncan discuss the results. Revealed: almost everyone in Europe is breathing toxic air Europe is facing a “severe public health crisis”, with almost everyone across the continent living in areas … Continue reading Europe is facing a “severe public health crisis”, with almost everyone across the continent living in areas with dangerous levels of air pollution →

Paris city hall is to impose higher parking fees on owners of SUVs in its battle to reduce pollution in the capital

The number of SUVs in the city has increased by 60% over the last four years and they now make up 15% of the 1.15m private vehicles parked in Paris every evening. Size, weight and motor will be taken into account city officials plan to increase parking fees as of next January 1st. Kim Willsher … Continue reading Paris city hall is to impose higher parking fees on owners of SUVs in its battle to reduce pollution in the capital →

New EEA publication linking environment and health

Despite progress over the past decades, pollution and other environmental risks continue to harm people’s health in Europe. Published recently, EEA Signals 2023 looks at the connection between environment and health and how taking care of nature and the climate can deliver long-term health benefits for all Europeans. Promoting healthier environment for healthier lives … Continue reading New EEA publication linking environment and health →

Wildfires are not just a symptom of the worsening climate catastrophe, they are also a source that amplifies ongoing warming

Drew Shindell, Professor of Climate Sciences at Duke University writes on The Conversation website about the wildfires in Canada, the growing problem of air quality and what some of the solutions are. Wildfire smoke and dirty air are also climate change problems: Solutions for a world on fire As the eastern U.S. and Canada … Continue reading Wildfires are not just a symptom of the worsening climate catastrophe, they are also a source that amplifies ongoing warming →