EPA Didn’t Ban Gas Cars. It Cut Air Pollution So We Can Breathe Easier.

Red Air Days and the Need for Sustainable Transportation

Anyone who has experienced a red air day knows the metallic taste of air pollution that leaves a sting in your nose and lungs. On red air days when pollution hits unhealthy levels, people are advised to stay inside and avoid outdoor activities, especially the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those who suffer from respiratory illnesses.

The Leading Cause of Toxic Air Pollution

Internal combustion engines fueled by gas or diesel are spewing dirty pollution into our lungs and atmosphere. More than two thirds of Americans rely on personal automobiles for day-to-day travel. And transportation is now the United States’ largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, with light-duty vehicles alone responsible for nearly 60% of that sector’s climate pollution.

Tackling Air Pollution with Tailpipe Emissions Standards

Tackling our pervasive air pollution problem requires cutting tailpipe pollution from the cars we drive. Fortunately, we have a proven tool to make vehicles cleaner so we can all breathe easier: tailpipe emissions standards.

The EPA’s New Multi-Pollutant Rules

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made history by adopting new multi-pollutant rules for light-duty and smaller medium-duty vehicles. These rules limit tailpipe pollution that poisons the air we breathe and accelerates climate change. Automakers are now compelled to adopt the latest clean technologies to ensure new vehicles will be cleaner than ever before.

Polluters’ Opposition to EPA’s Limits on Pollution

Air pollution harms 36 percent of the U.S. population—or nearly 120 million people. Corporations that profit from selling vehicles and petroleum view the EPA’s updated standards as a threat to their profits. They claim these standards threaten American freedoms and consumer choice. However, these claims are false. The EPA’s standards are technology-neutral, performance-based, and informed by science and peer-reviewed research.

The Benefits of Strong Tailpipe Pollution Standards

By setting responsible limits on tailpipe pollution, the EPA’s updated standards put the U.S. on a new trajectory for cleaner air, better health, and a stable climate. These rules also mean more affordable clean vehicle models on the road for decades to come, saving consumers money every year over the vehicles’ lifetimes. Additionally, the rules provide regulatory incentives for vehicle manufacturers to produce engines that emit fewer harmful pollutants and increase the sales of zero-emission battery electric vehicles.

New Incentives and Funding for Clean Vehicles

The EPA’s updated standards, combined with new clean vehicle incentives and funding in the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are poised to transform the way we get around. Tax incentives and new funding for vehicles, infrastructure, manufacturing, and the entire clean vehicle supply chain can propel the U.S. toward a transportation transformation.

A Cleaner Future with Improved Air Quality

As it has done for the past 50 years, the EPA is improving air quality. These updated standards reflect significant investments in clean vehicle technologies that the auto industry is already making, and they support growing consumer demand for clean air and a climate-safe future. In time, the updated standards could leave toxic red air days in the rearview mirror – something that will help us all breathe easier.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
   • Indicator: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution.

2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
   • Indicator: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
   • Indicator: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Indicator: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected people attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   The article highlights the harmful effects of air pollution on public health, including respiratory illnesses and other diseases. This aligns with SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all. The target 3.9 specifically addresses reducing deaths and illnesses from air pollution and other forms of pollution and contamination. The article mentions the metallic taste of air pollution and advises vulnerable groups to stay indoors on red air days, indicating the impact of air pollution on health. The indicator mentioned in the article is the number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution.

2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   The article discusses the role of internal combustion engines fueled by gas or diesel in contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This relates to SDG 7, which focuses on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Target 7.3 aims to improve energy efficiency globally, which is relevant to the article’s emphasis on reducing tailpipe pollution from vehicles. The indicator mentioned in the article is energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   The article mentions the adverse impact of air pollution on cities and emphasizes the importance of paying attention to air quality in urban areas. This aligns with SDG 11, which aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Target 11.6 specifically addresses reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including air quality. The indicator mentioned in the article is the proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   The article highlights the role of tailpipe emissions from vehicles in contributing to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. This relates to SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Target 13.1 aims to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. While the article does not explicitly mention this target, it addresses the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles to mitigate climate change. The indicator mentioned in the article is the number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected people attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: forbes.com

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