In the same month that environmental negotiators for the nations of the world met in Paris to approve an accord for reducing greenhouse gases, Italy’s difficulties with pollution made global headlines and disrupted the lives of many Italians. A key factor in the toxic air readings has been a long run of high atmospheric pressure causing mild, dry weather. Some regions haven’t seen rain for almost two months.
When air pollution readings in December exceeded European Union limits, the Italians responded in different ways. In Milan, government officials decided to ban cars and motorcycles from city streets between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for three days this week. Rome is restricting traffic based on license plate numbers for at least two days this week and allowing single-ride transit tickets to be used as all-day passes. In Turin, public transit was free for two days.
Perhaps the greatest indignity was felt in the town of San Vitaliano, outside Naples, where the mayor declared a ban on unfiltered wood-fired stoves — often used in the baking of pizzas — until March 31. Violators could be fined $1,130. A local newspaper said San Vitaliano's air problem is worse than Beijing’s, with the town surpassing the emissions ceiling 114 times in 2015.
The whole situation is vexing for the Italians, not only for their health but also for their tourist economy. The lesson for them, and all industrial countries, is that pollution control cannot afford to be a fair-weather policy — something that works only under ideal conditions. Urban areas prone to traffic congestion are subject to all sorts of weather patterns, some of which are likely to aggravate toxic air levels.
Incentives for sensible vehicle use, robust patronage of mass transit and sophisticated emissions technology must all be part of any advanced urban area’s comprehensive approach to pollution control. There’s only one Beijing, and the other cities of the world should strive to keep it that way.
First Published: December 29, 2015, 5:00 a.m.
