How To Stop Government Pollution: Actionable Steps For Change

Governments around the world are taking steps to reduce pollution, including tackling air pollution and the plastic pollution crisis. In the UK, the government has found that deterring polluting vehicles from city and town centres is the quickest, most cost-effective way to cut levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution. In the US, the EPA has taken steps to reduce toxic air pollutants and provide health protections for Americans, including reducing toxic emissions from industrial sources and vehicles. The Biden-Harris administration has also acknowledged the severity of the plastic pollution crisis and is taking action to reduce single-use plastics in federal operations. To support these efforts, individuals can get involved at the local level by engaging with transportation agencies and supporting healthy development that reduces exposure to air pollution.

Reducing emissions from vehicles and engines

Another way to reduce emissions is through the introduction of scrappage schemes for older, polluting vehicles. These schemes encourage people to trade in their old, polluting cars for newer, more efficient models. This can be coupled with subsidies for electric vehicles, which can help to make the switch to more sustainable transport more affordable for the general public.

Stringent emission standards and the use of cleaner-burning gasoline can also play a role in reducing emissions from vehicles and engines. These measures ensure that new vehicles are designed and manufactured with lower emissions in mind, helping to reduce pollution from the source.

In addition to these measures, individuals can also play a role in reducing emissions from transport. For example, people can be trained to drive more cleanly, which can help to reduce emissions from their vehicles. Additionally, when travelling on foot or by bike, individuals can choose to take backstreet routes away from congested roads, which can help to reduce their exposure to pollution.

Reducing toxic emissions from industrial sources

In the UK, the government's research has shown that deterring polluting vehicles from city and town centres is the quickest, most cost-effective way to cut levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution. Scrappage schemes for older, polluting vehicles and subsidies for electric vehicles can also help reduce pollution.

At a local level, getting involved in the land-use decision-making process is important. Engaging with transportation agencies can help support transportation planning and project identification that improves air quality and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

The Clean Air Act calls for state, local, federal and tribal governments to implement the Act in partnership to reduce pollution. The law requires the EPA to establish health-based national air quality standards to protect people with an "adequate margin of safety". States are responsible for developing enforceable state implementation plans to meet these standards.

Scrappage schemes for older, polluting vehicles

Scrappage schemes encourage people to scrap their older, more polluting vehicles and often offer financial incentives to do so. This helps to reduce the number of polluting vehicles on the road and can be particularly effective when combined with subsidies for electric vehicles.

In the US, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken significant steps to reduce toxic air pollutants, including reducing emissions from vehicles through stringent emission standards and cleaner-burning gasoline. The Clean Air Act calls for state, local, federal and tribal governments to work together to reduce pollution and establish health-based national air quality standards.

At a local level, getting involved in transportation planning is important to support healthy development that reduces exposure to air pollution. Engaging with transportation agencies can help to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the California legislature passes laws concerning air quality, which direct agencies to take certain actions, such as developing rules and regulations.

Overall, scrappage schemes for older, polluting vehicles are a key part of a wider strategy to reduce pollution and improve air quality. By offering incentives to remove polluting vehicles from the road, these schemes can help to quickly and effectively reduce nitrogen dioxide pollution in urban areas.

Subsidies for electric vehicles

Electric vehicles are a great way to reduce pollution. Governments can encourage their citizens to use electric vehicles by offering subsidies. This can be done through scrappage schemes, where people are incentivised to trade in their old, polluting vehicles for a discount on a new electric car. This not only reduces pollution but also helps to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In the UK, the government has recognised that deterring polluting vehicles from city and town centres is the quickest and most cost-effective way to cut levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution, which are currently at illegal levels in most urban areas. By offering subsidies for electric vehicles, the government can make these cars more affordable for citizens and encourage their use.

The US government has also taken steps to reduce emissions and improve air quality. The Clean Air Act calls for state, local, federal and tribal governments to work together to reduce pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also taken significant steps to reduce toxic air pollutants, including reducing emissions from vehicles and engines through new stringent emission standards and cleaner-burning gasoline.

By offering subsidies for electric vehicles, governments can help to reduce pollution and improve air quality. This can be done through scrappage schemes or by simply making electric vehicles more affordable for citizens. This will not only help to reduce pollution from vehicles but also improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Reducing exposure to air pollution

The Clean Air Act calls for state, local, federal and tribal governments to implement the Act in partnership to reduce pollution. The EPA has taken significant steps to reduce toxic air pollutants and provide health protections for Americans, including reducing toxic emissions from industrial sources and reducing emissions from vehicles and engines through new stringent emission standards and cleaner-burning gasoline.

At an individual level, the British Lung Foundation (BLF) suggests avoiding spending long periods of time in places where pollution builds up, such as busy roads. If you travel on foot or by bike, using backstreet routes away from congested roads can cut exposure by half. Getting involved at the local level is also important to support healthy development that reduces exposure to air pollution. Engaging with transportation agencies will help support transportation planning and project identification that improves air quality and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

The federal government can also leverage its purchasing power to reduce emissions and protect public health, as well as spur markets for new sustainable products.

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