Italy combats air pollution

As Italian authorities seek to combat air-pollution, Italy’s two largest cities, “Rome and Milan, as well as some smaller cities and towns have imposed bans on private cars.”: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-27/cars-and-pizza-ovens-targeted-as-italy-combats-air-pollution This is to lower air pollution levels during the Christmas season.

Italian authorities said ambient pollution detectors in both Milan and Rome have registered high levels of micro particles dangerous to health.

During the ban, cars will be forbidden for six hours a day from Monday to Wednesday. Authorities said on Christmas day, air-pollution alert levels were breached for the 31 st day in a row in the city where it has not rained for the past 50 days.

Officials in Rome had already banned the most polluting, older type of vehicles from circulating in a large part of the city. They announced last Thursday (December 24) that from Monday, all vehicles, regardless of type or age, would be allowed to circulate only on alternating days depending on the last number of their license plates.

Most streets in central Milan were nearly deserted as the ban commenced at 10 am on Monday morning.

However, many local people said they are in support of the initiative. One of the locals, Germano said he had noticed a clear difference in the quality of air outside Milan.

Italy too polluted to have a pizza?

https://t.co/B1d3dCksst

— Chiara Albanese (@chiaraalbanese) 28 Décembre 2015

Although Germano lives in China, he said he is baffled by the ban.

Some other Italians called for a long lasting solution that will address the air pollution.

“I think they’ve done the right thing and it’s a useful initiative. Clearly we need to put it into a context where there are also other more comprehensive solutions and policies to go with it,” said Simone.

However, a few others expressed contrary views saying they can now move around the city without congested traffic.