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A breath of fresh air that’s long overdue
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From Robert Kirkby.
IT’S with pleasure that I read that the States are addressing air quality (JEP 28 May) as it has been long overdue.
The March 2013 Better Life survey highlighted that our air quality was in the bottom quartile of OECD territories and was in some areas over that of EU recommended levels. In fact, we have air pollution some three times poorer than that in Sweden.
Keen-eyed readers of this report will note that it was based on 2008 air samples. However, looking at the Jersey Met data for the last few days (May 2013), it is clear that we have not improved and, in fact, it has become worse.
It’s surprising for a windswept Island that we have such poor levels of air quality and now is, indeed, the time to act before it causes any more long-term health effects for our population and our children.
There are many initiatives that countries around the world have introduced, with relative ease and low cost, which have had a rapid impact on air quality.
For example, in Switzerland it has been law for many years to turn off vehicle engines at red traffic lights. In addition, the States could lead the way and over the course of replacing the fleet of vehicles used by TTS, Jersey Water, JT, etc, do so with electric vehicles or LPG.
This would gradually build up more recharging points, encouraging private individuals to adopt similar vehicles.
Perhaps an annual emissions test for vehicles could be introduced. Initially, this could be for commercial vehicles, which in Berlin were found to account for 80 per cent of air pollution and particulates.
Many trips are made taking our children to schools. Narrow roads and heavy traffic discourage cycling or walking, but we should be considering more school buses (electric or LPG) to reduce these journeys.
I very much hope that States Members and Islanders alike will embrace actions to address air pollution quickly.
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