Pollution Free Cities

Friday, January 25, 2013

How Can Cities Reduce Carbon Emissions from Transportation?

Decarbonizing urban transport in European cities: four cases show possibly high co-benefits(10 page pdf, Felix Creutzig, Rainer Muhlhoff and Julia Romer,Environ. Res. Lett., Dec.19, 2012)

Today we review an analysis of four policy scenarios for four European cities at increasing levels of pressure aimed at reducing carbon emissions from transportation over the next 30 years. The greatest impact comes from a combination of land use policies (such as densification) combined with congestion charges which in one city produced a 40% reduction in GHGs. It is clear as the report summarizes that such strategies need to be tailored to a given city, its population and degree of sprawl.

Key Quotes:

“assess the current state of urban mobility in the four European cities of Barcelona, Malmo, Sofia and Freiburg..scenarios reducing greenhouse gas emissions from urban transport by up to 80% from 2010 to 2040”

“all four cities can achieve notable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions up to below 0.4t CO2/cap if city infrastructures are adapted for pedestrians, cyclists and efficient public transit”

“accommodating for car-dependent commuters..can only be achieved by rail-transit oriented development, careful densification, prohibition of green-field development of retailers, and safe infrastructure for cyclists and e-bikes for intermediate distances.”

“A global 30 km/hr street limit is particularly effective to reduce the health effects of noise along main arteries in inner cities.” “A global 30 km h􀀀1 street limit is particularly effective to reduce the health effects of noise along main arteries in inner cities.”

“A congestion charge can be implemented in the most progressive scenario. High quality NMT [non-motorized transport] and PT [public transport] infrastructure is precondition for a congestion charge , as they offer viable alternatives for car drivers.”

“All cities offer significant potential to increase parking fees to decrease inner city cruising and induce some modal shift.”

“Densification and land-use measures are most effective where population growth is highest,”

“a combination of policy packages, in addition to EU fuel standards, can reduce GHG emission by around 75% per capita from 2010 to 2040.”

“we combined land-use policies with a congestion charge in the most ambitious scenario. We obtain values of 10–20% reduction in vehicle km travelled in these scenarios, and in the case of Malm¨o around 40%”

“there is not a single optimal policy but rather a mixture of policy packages, which act synergistically”

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Developing an Environmentally Healthy Urban Oasis from a Racetrack

Environment and Heart Disease - Heart and the city(68 page pdf, François Reeves, Hippodrome project conference, Montreal, Dec. 11, 2012)

Also discussed here : Le Projet hippodrome priorisera la santé des résidants(Camille Laurin-Desjardins, Journal Metro, Dec. 11, 2012)

And here : Forum d'experts sur la mise en valeur du secteur de l'hippodrome - L'aménagement urbain : un déterminant de la santé et du bien-être collectif et individuel
[Expert Forum on development sector racecourse - Urban planning: a determinant of health and well-being collectively and individually](Ville de Montreal, Dec. 11, 2012)

Today we review a conference in Montreal aimed at developing a former racecourse (the “Hippodrome”) in the urban core into an area that promotes the environment and a healthy life for its residents. Above all, this would promote active forms of transportation and lots of trees with a canopy objective of at least 25%. The keynote address by Francois Reeves analyzed the historical link between the growth of heart disease and the industrial era and urban living which gave rise to the very high cardiovascular mortality rates there. He suggests that with a healthier diet and reduction of air pollutants, Montreal could reduce the incidence of cardiac disease by 25 to 75%.

Key Quotes :

“"After all, CVD was not common in 1830, so why can't it now become uncommon by 2050? That is the challenge we all face."

« Plantez des arbres pour réduire les mortalités cardiovasculaires »
[plant trees to reduce cardiovascular deaths]

« vivre en milieu vert diminue de moitié l’écart de mortalité cardiovasculaire entre les riches et les pauvres en milieu urbain »
[living in a green environment reduces cardiovascular mortality by half between the rich and poor in an urban area]

Objectives :

Ouvrir le site sur son environnement afin de créer des liens entre l'hippodrome et les quartiers voisins; [develop the site from an environmental point of view to create links between the racecourse and surrounding neighbourhoods]
Élargir le territoire de réflexion pour établir des synergies; [expand the outlook to establish synergies]
Prévoir la mixité des usages et des clientèles notamment en répondant aux besoins des citoyens à chacun des cycles de la vie. Dans cet esprit, créer un quartier réservé exclusivement aux familles pourrait aller à l'encontre de cet objectif ; [provide a mix of uses and clients in each cycle of life; create a district reserved exclusively for families to go to achieve this objective]
Favoriser le transport actif et collectif et maintenir la voiture en périphérie du site ; [promote active modes of transportation and keep cars on the outskirts of the site]
Revoir l'aménagement de l'entrée du site depuis l'autoroute Décarie ;[review the development of the site entrance from Decarie Expressway]
Prévoir un couvert végétal suffisamment important pour améliorer la qualité de l'air et ainsi favoriser la santé des futurs résidents.[provide a large enough canopy to improve air quality and promote the health of future residents]

“If a City eliminates
Food nano-agressors

Trans Fat
Excess of Salt
Fructose-Glucose
Phosphoric Acid

Air nano-agressors

CO
SO2, NO2
FP, UFP
VOC

And promotes a green and active milieu, this City may expect a 25-75 % reduction of cardiac disease”

Monday, January 21, 2013

How Does Outside Air Pollution Affect Indoor Air Pollution?

Indoor Air Pollution (Photo credit: SEDACMaps)

Also discussed here: WHO guidelines for indoor air quality: selected pollutants(484 page pdf, World Health Organization, 2010)

And here: Amendment No. 38 to the Regional Plan (2006)(Official Plan for the Halton Planning Area, Regional Municipality of Halton, Dec. 16, 2009)

Today we review a call for action to the London Assembly (or city council) to improve the level of air quality found indoors where people live and breathe most of the time. While many believe that poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is caused by moulds and volatile gases emitted by furniture and curtains, there is recent evidence that outdoor pollutants such as particulate matter emitted by vehicles can be responsible for up to half the pollution found indoors. Part of the solution is to install very fine filters. Another solution, being pursued in Canada, is to require developers to build homes for the vulnerable populations of children and the elderly at least 30 m away from major roads or 150 m from highways (or provide air quality evidence that it is safe)- as municipal authorities in Halton Region have done recently.

Key Quotes:

“The most common forms of indoor air pollution include: fine combustion particles from traffic and power stations (PM_2.5); volcanic dust; bio-aerosols and pathogens like pollen, bacteria, viruses and fungal spores; environmental tobacco smoke (ETS); asbestos; and silica dust. Molecular pollutants such as gases and vapours include: carbon monoxide; oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and sulphur; ozone; radon; and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).”

“Without filters, up to 50% (and much more in some cases) of air pollution found indoors comes from outside” “Indoor concentrations of some pollutants can be much higher than outdoor (e.g. 10 or 20 times higher in the case of formaldehyde)”

“European citizens spend on average over 90% of their time indoors so 75% or more of the health impact of AAQ can therefore occur indoors.”

“To achieve high IAQ in cities with ambient air exceeding EU limit values by 50% requires a two stage particle filter with a gas filter to achieve average reductions of 80%, 90% or 95% in particles of 0.4 microns in diameter (which compares with the thickness of a human hair of about 70 microns).”

Recommendation:

“to investigate IAQ with a particular focus on health and energy savings. The investigation should consider buildings with existing mechanical ventilation and others where standalone or ducted air filtration may be needed”
“"Specifically, an air quality study based on guidelines under Section 143(2.1) is required for such development proposals within 30m of a Major Arterial or Provincial Highway, or 150m of a Provincial Freeway, as defined by Map 3 of this Plan.”

Friday, January 18, 2013

Vehicle Emissions and Water Quality

Understanding Atmospheric Deposition in Tampa Bay(3 page pdf, Bay Region Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (BRACE))

Also discussed here: From the Tailpipe to Tampa Bay: Air Pollution Research Reveals Impact of Cars(Bradenton Times, Dec. 17, 2012)

Vehicle emissions not only cause harmful health impacts for people near them but they also affect the quality of the water near urban areas by adding nitrogen dioxides to the water off the coast which promotes algae growth, starving the fish of oxygen. Today we review a report from Tampa on the amount of nitrogen oxides reaching the water from the atmosphere, mainly from vehicle emissions that pollute Tampa Bay. Many of the same strategies for improving urban air quality on land apply here as well for water quality: more low emission vehicles, more monitoring of dry deposition and reestablish atmospheric monitoring stations. As EPA notes: “driving a car is a typical citizen’s most polluting daily activity.”

Key Quotes:

“Atmospheric nitrogen comes from emissions from both natural and anthropogenic (human-derived) sources. Natural sources include fecal matter from wild animals, forest fires, lightning, oceans, soils, and vegetation. In a densely populated watershed such as Tampa Bay’s, natural sources make up a relatively small component of all atmospheric deposition. Human-derived sources include emissions from fertilizer production and use, human and farm animal waste, and fossil fuel combustion.”

“too much nitrogen can cause excessive algae growth that can block sunlight necessary for seagrass growth. It can also deplete dissolved oxygen levels, leading to fish kills.”

“Direct Atmospheric Deposition occurs when air pollutants such as NOx and NH3 fall directly onto Tampa Bay, interacting with the bay’s water surface.....Indirect Atmospheric Deposition occurs when air emissions fall first onto the land or watershed surface and then enter the bay with stormwater.”

“cars, trucks, and other mobile vehicles deposit four times more nitrogen oxide, or NOx, in Tampa Bay than power plants…mobile sources have a disproportionately large impact, because emissions from cars, trucks and boats are generated closer to the ground, and more of their emissions wind up in the bay”

"In 2002….57% of all nitrogen entering Tampa Bay came from atmospheric sources. Of that, 17% was direct deposition to the bay; 40% returned indirectly to the bay via stormwater runoff from the watershed. In 2002, nitrogen coming from the air made up 1,973 tons of the 3,485 total tons of nitrogen entering the bay.”

Recommendations:

"Encourage use of low-emission personal vehicles and public transportation. US EPA cites that driving a car is a typical citizen’s most polluting daily activity.
Support partner actions..related to air quality improvements.
Re-establish atmospheric deposition monitoring stations within the Tampa Bay watershed to track changes in emissions.
Develop better monitoring and measurements of direct dry deposition.”

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

How Do Tobacco Smoke and Air Pollution Affect Asthma in Young Children?

Wreaths of tobacco smoke. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Air pollution, fetal and infant tobacco smoke exposure, and wheezing in preschool children: a population-based prospective birth cohort(23 page pdf, Agnes MM Sonnenschein-van der Voort ,Yvonne de Kluizenaar, Vincent WV Jaddoe, Carmelo Gabriele Hein Raat, Henriëtte A Moll, Albert Hofman, Frank H Pierik, Henk ME Miedema, Johan C de Jongste, Liesbeth Duijts, Environmental Health, Dec. 11, 2012)

The key conclusion drawn by the study under review today is that early exposure to tobacco smoke makes the lungs of children more vulnerable to air pollution. Also short term exposure to air pollutants alone could affect development of respiratory while long term exposure has greater impact when combined with tobacco smoke

Key Quotes:

“Higher exposure levels to air pollutants have been associated with increased risks of asthma exacerbations in adults and children aged older than 5 years”

“We examined the associations of exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) with the risk of wheezing in preschool children, and assessed whether these associations were modified by tobacco smoke exposure.”

“Our results suggest that short term exposure to air pollutants might be important for developing respiratory symptoms, whereas long term exposure to air pollutants might be important in the presence of tobacco smoke exposure.”

“Our study suggests that long term exposure to higher levels of traffic-related air pollutants PM10 and NO2 are associated with increased risks of wheezing in the first 3 years of life among children who are exposed to tobacco smoke during fetal and infant life.”

Monday, January 14, 2013

How do Higher Congestion Charges at Traffic Peaks Reduce Pollution?

The control point at Liljeholmen, Stockholm. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Variable Congestion Charges May Yield More Stable Air Quality and Improved Health(Science News, Dec. 14, 2012)

Also discussed here: Variable congestion charges may yield more stable air quality and improved health(University of Gothenburg, Dec. 14, 2012)

And here: Synergies and Trade-offs between Climate and Local Air Pollution: Policies in Sweden(Jorge Bonilla, Jessica Coria, Thomas Sterner, Working Paper in Economics #529, Goteborg University, Apr. 30, 2012)

Today we review a report from Goteborg, the second Swedish city to implement congestion charging, that examines the impact of these charges on pollution levels by time of day and time of year. It found that pollution was worse in the morning and in the spring. This provides a good basis for having charges that change according to the resulting level of pollution, not necessarily to traffic volume which is usually the linkage made for dynamic charging.

Key Quotes: “Higher congestion charges in the morning and in the spring would even out the negative health effects caused by air pollution from cars in large cities.” “Our analysis indicates that despite traffic flows being larger in the afternoon, NOx and NO2 pollution in the morning peak is larger than in the peak in the afternoon” “base their conclusion on observations of the levels of nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter and carbon monoxide in Stockholm, London and Santiago” “If the congestion charges are allowed to vary with the capacity of nature to handle pollution, then they may reduce not only global warming but also the dangerous health effects of urban air pollutants” “If people would choose to drive at different times than today, the levels of pollution would be evened out, which in turn would have positive health effects”

Friday, January 11, 2013

Climate Change, Life Expectancy and Human Development for the Next Century

Exploring future impacts of environmental constraints on human development(37 page pdf, Barry B. Hughes, Mohammod T. Irfan, Jonathan D. Moyer, Dale S. Rothman and José R. Solórzano, Sustainability, May 10, 2012)

Today we review a look at the long term impact of climate change on human development for the next century where the policy choices made to deal with climate change on the one hand (example carbon taxes applied globally) are combined in a model with varying degrees of possible environmental scenarios. Not surprisingly, the results do not produce a future or futures with a lot of hope and the road to global disaster “has a low probability”. The impacts on the economy, well-being and the environment, particularly for developing countries could be very useful in preparing the world for what lies ahead.

Key Quotes:

“describe three possible futures for the world (a base line scenario, an environmental challenge scenario, and an environmental disaster scenario) and their potential impact on the indicators of the Human Development Index (HDI)”

Base Case scenario:

”Incomes continue to rise, driven in part by technological advances and diffusion globally. *Education and health levels rise as incomes improve and reinforce economic growth.
Advances in infrastructure and improved governance further drive productivity gains.
Policy orientations and technological advances generally reflect those of recent decades.
does not build in carbon taxes or other significant shifts in global governance policy.”

Environmental Challenge scenario:

”increases the driving values for a number of known environmental risks that the Base Case already represents, but that could prove to be worse than we anticipate.
represents environmental risks at the household (indoor solid fuel use), local (water and sanitation), urban and regional (outdoor air pollution), and global levels (especially increasing impacts of global warming on agricultural production)."

Environmental Disaster scenario:

"Overuse of fossil water and falling water tables, changing run-off patterns from glacial melting, progressive deforestation and land degradation, species loss and dramatic declines in biodiversity, accelerated incidence of extreme weather events, peaking production of oil and gas
“environmental constraints could indeed greatly slow progress and even, in disastrous conditions, begin to reverse it. Least developed countries are most vulnerable in relative terms, while middle-income countries can suffer the greatest absolute impact of constraints, and more developed countries are most resilient"

“The Environmental Challenge scenario still allows the HDI to rise globally and across all income categories, which is good news, but dramatically reduces the size of the gains and very significantly slows the movement towards global equity. The Environmental Disaster scenario almost stops progress on the index everywhere.”

“the Environmental Disaster scenario explored here did not lead to a Malthusian or Limits to

Growth-like collapse in IFs forecasts, but rather to a dramatic slowdown in the advancement of human well-being”