Air pollution is the worst environmental and health risk worldwide, and cities are the biggest polluters, contributing up to 70% of the world’s carbon emissions.
We’re choking out our planet and our people. Clearly, something needs to change.
Cities around the world are turning to greener initiatives and air quality strategies in order to improve carbon emissions. It’s not too late to get on board!
Transportation Initiatives
Vehicle emissions are one of the main contributors to city air pollution, so transportation is one of the most important areas cities should examine.
- Vehicle bans in city centers can help reduce vehicle usage and the resulting emissions that contribute to pollution.
- Promoting walking and cycling over driving is a great way to reduce vehicle traffic. Safety is one of the main concerns regarding road-sharing, so it’s important for cities to invest in bike and pedestrian infrastructure to keep people safe.
- Investing in public transport such as accessible bus routes can reduce the number of vehicles on the roads. Car-sharing is another initiative worth exploring.
- Switching from gas and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles is a step in the right direction towards reducing overall emissions.
Many cities around the world are already tackling air pollution using these strategies in order to reach their emissions goals for the future.
Urban Greening
Plants are excellent air purifiers because they convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. Urban greening initiatives such as green walls, green roofs, urban forests and parks, and more can help filter pollutants out of the air and reduce urban heat island effects. Urban greening is not only great for cities’ environments, but also for people’s health and wellbeing.
Urban Planning
In order to successfully implement carbon emission and air quality reduction strategies, cities must employ urban planners. Many of the issues cities face today have to do with rapid expansion and urban sprawl due to exploding populations. Planning for urban density can actually reduce per capita emissions by reducing the need for vehicles and long commutes. The sooner cities consult urban planners, the sooner they can improve their carbon emissions!
At CREED LA, our mission is to ensure that the construction industry in Los Angeles has a highly trained and professionalized workforce that supports projects that have positive impacts for the community. Drop us a line online or by calling (877) 810-7473.