KILLER AIR CRISIS

Thursday, 19 August 2010 11:56

Sydney is at risk of losing the air pollution battle, warned the Total Environment Centre(TEC) today, at the NSW government’s Clean Air Forum. “The big warning signs are flashing,” said Jeff Angel, director of TEC. “Even though vehicle emission standards have been tightened, any gains are being outrun by population growth, increased car use, and the growing popularity of heavier cars.

“We are at grave risk of losing the air pollution battle.” TEC has been campaigning for clean air since 1972, and has carefully monitored the state government’s Action For Air plan over the past ten years.

‘The next four years will be crucial,” said Mr. Angel. “Air quality is not being taken seriously enough in development decisions at the macro and regional planning levels. We urgently need a coordinated strategy for urban land use, transport planning, and public transport infrastructure.”

“Action for Air states the target is to stop total vehicle kilometers traveled (VKT) growth by 2021, but this is unlikely to be achieved.”

Mr. Angel pointed out that another key concern, the timetable for the application of vapour recovery at existing petrol stations, has also slipped badly. “Australia has about 12 million cars. It would be great if they could all be turned over to cleaner fuels quickly,” said Mr. Angel. “Realistically this is not going to happen, so we need to focus on new mass transit systems, rather than put many eggs in the clean car basket.”