This
month's episode contains five reports, looking at clean
transport issues: On Your Bike - The
Netherlands; Hydrogen Cars/Clean Dreams - Germany; Liselec
- France, Safa Tempos - Generating Currents - Nepal;
Where There's No Road - Mozambique
On
Your Bike
Inner cities are becoming more and more congested.
City dwellers and visitors are being subjected to
constantly increasing levels of air pollution and
noise. Access to, and travel within city centres is
problematic. In order to maintain a reasonable environment
within inner cities, it is vital to limit road traffic
and improve public transport amenities.
Hydrogen
Cars - Clean Dreams
The vast majority of transport systems in use around
the world depend, either directly or indirectly, on
the burning of fossil fuels which are not replaceable
and will eventually run out. Burning fossil fuels
is also very bad for the environment because pollution
is created in the form of "greenhouse" gases and other
atmospheric wastes. As the world's population grows,
the increasing demand for mobility adds to these problems
and it is becoming ever more important that alternatives
to the damaging use of fossil fuels are found. One
of the most serious pollutants resulting from the
use of conventional road vehicles is the gas carbon
dioxide - CO2. In fact, any process
which burns organic materials, such as wood, coal,
oil or gas, will result in the formation of CO2.
In order to protect the world's climate, CO2
emissions must be reduced around the world and one
way to achieve this could be by using hydrogen
as a replacement for fossil fuels. Hydrogen is a 'clean'
fuel because it produces virtually no pollution whatsoever.
Liselec
Cars and other vehicles are largely responsible for
air pollution in cities. Engine combustion discharges
80% of the carbon monoxide, 70% of the nitrogen oxides,
60% of the hydrocarbons and 80% of the lead oxides
present in the city air. Leaked oils and fuels infiltrate
the soil and pollute rivers. Dark dusts and exhausts
cause respiratory diseases and blacken historic monuments.
The financial consequences upon society are very high.
To take advantage of a city, people have to be able
to move about with a minimum of stress, hassle and
wasted time. They also need to be able to avoid the
inconvenience of overcrowded streets, while enjoying
clean air and a quiet environment. By providing easy
access to self-service rental of electric cars, Liselec
offers a solution to the main issues faced by local
authorities.
Safa
Tempos - Generating Currents
Simple observation reveals that much urban air pollution
in Nepal, particularly in the Kathmandu Valley, is
caused by vehicular emissions. The age and condition
of vehicles appears to be a key factor to the contribution
of exhaust emission problems and the quality of fuel
is also significant. In the past, commercial or public
transport vehicles have tended to be badly maintained
and often used adulterated fuels. The use of low quality
fuel coupled with poor maintenance habits, which are
partly attributed to the sparse availability and high
cost of spare parts, results in the incomplete combustion
of fuel. The excessive exhaust emissions which are
produced contribute to a substantial increase in air
pollution and consequently, the deterioration of the
atmosphere.
Where
There's No Road
In many developing countries a lack of transport
and poor roads means people spend hours getting to
market, school and hospitals.
In Mozambique the problem has been worsened by civil
war. It not only wrecked lives but also destroyed
much of Mozambique's infrastructure - in particular
the roads which were laced with landmines.
|
