The development of public transportation is the key to reducing air pollution
According to the social reporter of Moj news agency, the history of “World Day Without car “which is celebrated on September 22, goes back to 1995 when non-governmental organizations chose a day with this name to encourage people to use public transport and not to use cars as one of the main mobile sources of air pollution, and the first national campaign in It was opened in 1997 by the Environmental Transport Association in England.
The huge role of cars in the air pollution of different cities of the world is not hidden from anyone, and since the middle of the 20th century, when the use of private cars peaked, global air pollution has also intensified. According to the United States Environmental Agency, cars are probably responsible for 60-70% of the world’s air pollution, which may vary in different cities around the world.
60% share of cars in Tehran’s air pollution
According to the statistics of the General Directorate of Environment of Tehran, the share of cars in the air pollution of Tehran is 59%, which makes mobile sources of air pollution, including cars, the first-line culprits of Tehran’s air pollution. Pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOX), particles less than 2.5 microns, carbon monoxide, etc. are released from the exhaust of cars and cause air pollution in Tehran, especially in winter.
Although the world’s leading car manufacturers have tried in recent years to reduce the pollution caused by cars by improving the ignition system of cars, reducing their fuel consumption, etc., but despite all these measures, the nature of a car that runs on fossil fuel is air pollution, and this The case cannot be ignored. Of course, we should not forget that in addition to improving the emission levels of cars, standard fuel is also a condition for reducing pollution.
Unfortunately, in the country, we are facing problems in improving the emission levels of cars and fuel standardization, and according to Dariush Golalizadeh, head of the National Air and Climate Change Center, our domestic cars become polluting cars after one or two years and driving a few kilometers. The problem of the catalyst of these cars also aggravates the pollution. In addition, the problem of non-standard fuel has also caused the pollution caused by mobile sources to increase several times.
Electric vehicle and reduction of air pollution
In recent years, many metropolises of the world have moved towards the use of electric cars; The most important benefit of electric cars is its contribution to improving the climate in cities. Electric cars play a significant role in reducing air pollution, and during the year, only one electric car can prevent the emission of 1.5 million grams of carbon dioxide on average, which is equal to 4 round-trip flights from London to Barcelona!
Electric cars also play a role in reducing noise pollution, and because they are quieter than conventional cars, driving them provides a quieter environment for everyone.
Despite the effect of electric cars on reducing air pollution, these cars also have other emissions; For example, the chemicals used in making the batteries of these cars (lithium oxide batteries) as one of its main parts, is another environmental concern.
Also, research by the American Environmental Agency shows that even electric cars contribute to the production of particles less than 2.5 microns, and also the environmental pollution caused by electric car tires (caused by the wear of car tires with the ground) is 20% more than that of gasoline cars.
Another challenge of electric cars is that many countries, including Iran, do not have the proper infrastructure to develop the use of these cars, and it will take a long time to provide these infrastructures. Although in recent months, Tehran Municipality has started steps towards setting up electric charging stations, importing electric taxis and buses, etc., but we are still far from electrifying transportation throughout the country.
The development of public transportation is the key to reducing air pollution
By examining all the above-mentioned cases, we come to the conclusion that the best and fastest solution to air pollution and reducing traffic in the big cities of our country is the development of public transportation, and in fact, public transportation is the key to reducing air pollution in big cities; The use of subway in the underground, the development of trams on the ground level and the use of monorail above the ground level, the development of electric buses, hybrid taxis, bicycle rental stations, etc. can have a tremendous effect on reducing air pollution in a short time.
The big cities of the world, including London, Paris, Beijing, Mexico City, etc., have reduced the distance of each person to reach a public transportation to only 500 meters and have been able to reduce air pollution to a great extent with this solution. This distance in our country is much more than the standard limit (500 meters), which should be reduced with the development of public transportation, and as a result, people should be encouraged to use these means.