Trainsit in Mexico City
The emissions from 4.5 million vehicles are the primary source of air pollution.
http://www.statesman.com/news/world/mexico-citys-efforts-to-improve-air-pay-off-1099764.html
Mexico's capital, which sits in a dried lakebed 7,350 feet above sea level, faces particular problems from vehicle exhaust. Intense solar radiation at such altitude worsens air pollution, which includes a noxious mix of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone and tiny suspended particulates.
When pollution grew acute in the late 1980s, both the city and federal governments imposed measures, including the removal of lead from gasoline, obligatory use of catalytic converters, and substitution of fuel oil in factories and power plants with natural gas.
The boldest move might have been a 1989 measure that bans most drivers from using their vehicles one day per week. Recent projects have burnished the environmental credentials of Mayor Marcelo Ebrard, who says the city's climate action program is the first of its kind in Latin America. Ebrard earlier this year placed bikes-for-hire stations in central areas of the city. He has announced that 500 Nissan Leaf electric taxis will be on city roads next year, a step toward getting gas guzzlers off the roads. Electric buses are also in the works.
But some municipal policies are contradictory. City Hall is adding second levels to highways to ease traffic congestion but potentially pulling more cars onto roads, said Sandra Guzman of the Mexican Center for Environmental Law. "There are no incentives for people to get out of their autos," Guzman said. Instead, city planners should spend more on aggressive extension of the rapid-transit Metrobus vehicles, she said.
While skies are clearing, the presence of ozone is still harmful, giving rise to bronchial complaints, eye irritation and fatigue. Last year, ozone exceeded healthy levels on 180 days, only a 2 percent improvement from the previous year.
What is needed to be done?
http://www.mexicocityexperience.com/green_living/transportation/
- Reduce the vehicles on the road.
- Energy-efficient mass transportation.
- Encourage to walk or bike to work.
- Raise public awareness and willing to change the situation.
How can design get involved and improve the situation?
Some people may argue the issue is not urgent enough for design to pay attention. But let me remind you that you can choose the food you eat and the clothes you wear. However, you can't choose the air you breathe. The weather became more and more extreme. We will never know what will happen. It's never too early to doing something green. Personally, I think everyone deserve a better life. As designers, we have great abilities and influence. By utilizing our ability to effectively communicate and build interest, we can generate awareness and further the cause to end global warming.
- Campaign for cleaner air by changing habits of transportation.
- Raise awareness.
- Use Eco-Friendly materials, such as green billboard, recycled paper and digital devices.
- http://www.good.is/post/the-philippines-gets-a-billboard-that-reduces-pollution/
- Train of ideas as role model.
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