Blog 6: Driving Ban in Paris due to Pollution

Summary:
In Paris, air pollution levels were so high that the government imposed a driving ban, which applied to both private and public transportation. The ban lasted for a total of four days. About seven hundred police members were told to fine drivers who were defying the driving ban. This issue with pollution has been a concern in Paris for a while. Speed limit have been reduced and heavy trucks have been diverted from the region in effort to decrease pollution in the past. The high level of pollution is calling for serious measures because pollution matter can cause respiratory problems and discomfort when inhaled. Hospital visits have been increasing, especially among children. Due to the ban, pollution levels did fall back to average level.

Analysis:
For the government to take serious measures as to ban both private and public transportation shows how heavy this issue of pollution is. Considering the fact that hospital visits were increasing due to pollution in the atmosphere shows the negative impact it can have on our health. With technical advancement, industrialization, and modernization occurring in many places all over the world, pollution has been a big concern for many countries. The fact that the pollution levels were so high in Paris that the government had to place a driving ban, shows that this could happen to us anytime as well. This is both an environmental and health issue, which affects us as an entire nation. Although the pollution levels did go back down to average, this article has gotten me concerned about our future.

Link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/18/world/europe/fighting-pollution-paris-imposes-partial-driving-ban.html?ref=science&_r=0