Air pollution in Europe takes off as lockdowns lifted
Air pollution has rebounded in European cities as lockdown measures across the Continent are eased.
There have been big increases in nitrogen dioxide levels in cities including Paris, Brussels and Milan as traffic congestion increases once again.
According to an analysis based on data from the European Environment Agency (EEA), the environmental benefits of lockdown have been short-lived, with more commuters shunning public transport due to the virus and using their cars instead.
“It is definitely a huge challenge that we are seeing pollution volumes at or near pre-Covid-19 levels, even though in many cities traffic volumes are below pre-crisis levels,” said Lauri Myllyvirta, analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air told the Financial Times.
“We risk getting pre-crisis levels of congestion and pollution already, before full economic reopening,” he added.
Nitrogen dioxide pollution in Paris has risen from 13.6 micrograms per cubic metre at its lowest point during the lockdown, to 29.7 μg/m3 most recently, based on a weather-adjusted 30-day average.
Across the Atlantic, pollution and the fight against climate change aren't faring much better as President Donald Trump eases environmental rules.
Andrew Wheeler, Environmental Protection Agency administrator, said Trump is seeking to make good on his promise to pare back burdensome regulation.
The Trump administration is striving for lighter regulation of America’s air and water in response to the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic.
According to the FT, Trump ordered officials to find ways to speed up construction of highway or pipeline projects that could circumvent environmental reviews.
The EPA this spring also published rules on air, water and fuel that scrap the work of the Obama administration. Nevertheless, the EPA does not describe its agenda as rollbacks.
“There is not any more pollution that is coming out in light of our recent actions,” a senior EPA official told the Financial Times.