Researchers weigh staggering benefits of policies reducing air pollution from vehicles on children’s health: ‘Assessments often overlook children’s health outcomes’
Researchers weigh staggering benefits of policies reducing air pollution from vehicles on children's health ... The Cool Down
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The Benefits of Reducing Tailpipe Pollution on Children’s Health
The more policies our society creates to curb air pollution from cars, the more we benefit from a healthier environment. But recent research reveals even more overlooked advantages of cutting back on tailpipe pollution.
Children’s Health and Air Pollution
Many past studies have only looked at how pollution affects adults physically and mentally, but children are affected too — and a recent study shows they’ll gain a lot from a reduction in pollution.
Research Findings
Researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, UCLA, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the Boston University School of Public Health recently published research showing the effects on children from policies focused on air pollution from vehicles.
These policies, which used a framework called the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI), included moves to limit carbon dioxide being produced by cars, as well as investments in electric vehicles and public transportation.
Specifically, TCI calls for fuel suppliers to buy carbon pollution allowances and governments to put that money toward public transportation. The team examined several possible scenarios in which these ideas might be applied across 12 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia.
Economic Savings and Improved Outcomes for Children
The team found that with the strictest limits on air pollution, there would be a total economic savings of $82 million annually due to improved outcomes for children. These included 58,000 fewer cases of infant mortality, birth complications, asthma, and other conditions, including respiratory illnesses.
Importance of Children’s Health
“Health benefits assessments often overlook children’s health outcomes,” co-author Dr. Frederica Perera, professor of environmental health sciences at the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health at Columbia Mailman, told Phys.org. “Yet we know that early exposure to air pollutants has multiple detrimental effects on children’s health and well-being; and these are preventable.”
Addressing Climate Change
The team also noted how important it is to try to limit air pollution to slow the world’s rapidly rising temperature since many forms of pollution trap heat in the atmosphere.
Policies to Promote Electric Vehicles
The EPA has already begun putting policies in place to promote electric vehicles and limit internal combustion engines in the future.
Conclusion
Reducing tailpipe pollution from vehicles has significant benefits for children’s health and the environment. By implementing policies focused on air pollution reduction, such as the Transportation and Climate Initiative, we can improve outcomes for children, save money, and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health and climate action.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses the effects of air pollution on children’s health and the benefits of reducing pollution from vehicles. This is directly related to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. It is also connected to SDG 11, which focuses on creating sustainable cities and communities by promoting clean and sustainable transportation. Additionally, the article mentions the importance of limiting air pollution to slow down climate change, aligning with SDG 13’s goal of taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- SDG 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.
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
The article highlights the potential reduction in infant mortality, birth complications, asthma, and other conditions due to improved air quality. This aligns with SDG 3.9, which aims to reduce deaths and illnesses caused by pollution. The focus on limiting air pollution from vehicles also contributes to SDG 11.6, which targets the reduction of adverse environmental impacts in cities, including air quality. Lastly, the mention of the importance of limiting air pollution to combat climate change relates to SDG 13.2, which emphasizes the integration of climate change measures into national policies and planning.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of cases of infant mortality, birth complications, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses
- Economic savings resulting from improved outcomes for children
The article mentions that with stricter limits on air pollution, there would be economic savings of $82 million annually due to improved outcomes for children. This economic indicator can be used to measure progress towards the target of reducing deaths and illnesses caused by pollution (SDG 3.9). Additionally, the reduction in cases of infant mortality, birth complications, asthma, and respiratory illnesses can serve as health indicators to track progress towards the same target.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | – Number of cases of infant mortality, birth complications, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses – Economic savings resulting from improved outcomes for children |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 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. | – Number of cases of infant mortality, birth complications, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | – Economic savings resulting from improved outcomes for children |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: thecooldown.com
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