Air pollution has become a global concern with its detrimental effects on health and the environment. Cities are hotspots for air pollution due to increased traffic, industrial activities, and buildings. However, cities can take action to improve air quality and protect their citizens' health. Here are six impactful actions cities can take to improve their air quality.
1. Adopt WHO standards: The first step in improving air quality is to adopt the WHO air quality guidelines as a target for your city. This provides a clear standard to work towards and helps to ensure that the actions taken are effective in improving air quality. It is also important to monitor air quality regularly and identify the sources of pollution in your city.
2. Enact a clean air zone: Diesel and petrol vehicles are a major source of air pollution in many cities. To address this, cities can establish clean air zones that restrict the most polluting vehicles from entering certain areas.
3. Drive a shift from personal vehicle use: Reducing the number of vehicles on the road is a key strategy for improving air quality. Encouraging the use of public transport, walking, and cycling can help to achieve this goal. Cities can invest in high-quality public transport systems, create dedicated cycle lanes, and improve pedestrian infrastructure to make it easier for people to get around without a car.
4. Shift vehicles to zero-emission: Another effective strategy is to shift vehicles to zero-emission technologies such as electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. This requires investment in infrastructure such as charging or refueling stations, as well as incentives for people to switch to these vehicles.
5. Decarbonize the electricity grid: Many cities rely on electricity generated from fossil fuels, which contributes to air pollution. Decarbonizing the electricity grid by shifting to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power can help to reduce air pollution and combat climate change at the same time.
6. Minimize burning wastage: Burning solid fuels such as coal and biomass, as well as waste, can be a significant source of air pollution. To address this, cities can implement policies to reduce the use of solid fuels and promote alternatives such as clean energy sources.
Improving air quality is an urgent priority for cities around the world. By adopting these measures, cities can take effective action to protect the health and well-being of their citizens.
Read next: These are the most polluted countries and cities
1. Adopt WHO standards: The first step in improving air quality is to adopt the WHO air quality guidelines as a target for your city. This provides a clear standard to work towards and helps to ensure that the actions taken are effective in improving air quality. It is also important to monitor air quality regularly and identify the sources of pollution in your city.
2. Enact a clean air zone: Diesel and petrol vehicles are a major source of air pollution in many cities. To address this, cities can establish clean air zones that restrict the most polluting vehicles from entering certain areas.
3. Drive a shift from personal vehicle use: Reducing the number of vehicles on the road is a key strategy for improving air quality. Encouraging the use of public transport, walking, and cycling can help to achieve this goal. Cities can invest in high-quality public transport systems, create dedicated cycle lanes, and improve pedestrian infrastructure to make it easier for people to get around without a car.
4. Shift vehicles to zero-emission: Another effective strategy is to shift vehicles to zero-emission technologies such as electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. This requires investment in infrastructure such as charging or refueling stations, as well as incentives for people to switch to these vehicles.
5. Decarbonize the electricity grid: Many cities rely on electricity generated from fossil fuels, which contributes to air pollution. Decarbonizing the electricity grid by shifting to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power can help to reduce air pollution and combat climate change at the same time.
6. Minimize burning wastage: Burning solid fuels such as coal and biomass, as well as waste, can be a significant source of air pollution. To address this, cities can implement policies to reduce the use of solid fuels and promote alternatives such as clean energy sources.
Improving air quality is an urgent priority for cities around the world. By adopting these measures, cities can take effective action to protect the health and well-being of their citizens.
Read next: These are the most polluted countries and cities
