Mexico's Battle Against Air Pollution: Strategies And Initiatives

Mexico has implemented a range of measures to reduce air pollution, which is responsible for one in every seventeen deaths in the country. In 1992, the United Nations named Mexico City the most polluted city in the world. Since then, the Mexican government has introduced various plans to reduce emission levels, including the removal of lead from gasoline, the reduction of sulphur content in diesel fuel, and the substitution of fuel oil with natural gas in industry and power plants. In 2012, Mexico passed the General Law on Climate Change, creating a legal obligation to address short-lived climate pollutants. The country has also set ambitious targets, including a 25% reduction in Black Carbon emissions by 2030. In 2019, Mexico launched a National Strategy to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, which includes measures such as increasing the number of electric vehicles and promoting the use of public transport.

Electric vehicles and public transport

Mexico has recognised the importance of reducing air pollution, both from an idealistic and realistic perspective, as it poses a huge threat to public health and hinders economic development. As a result, the Mexican government has implemented a range of policies and initiatives to tackle the problem.

Electric Vehicles

One of the key strategies to reduce air pollution in Mexico is the promotion of electric vehicles. Mexico has set ambitious targets, including a 25% reduction in Black Carbon emissions by 2030, which could increase to 40% with international support. To achieve these targets, Mexico launched a National Strategy to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants in 2019, which includes increasing the number of electric vehicles on the road.

The government has also introduced guidelines and regulations to support the adoption of electric vehicles. For example, in 2019, Mexico issued guidelines for the transport of hydrocarbons through pipelines, which included a zero-tolerance policy for methane emissions. Additionally, Mexico has participated in the Climate and Clean Air Coalition's (CCAC) gas flaring technology demonstrations, which aim to reduce methane emissions.

Public Transport

Mexico has also implemented initiatives to improve public transportation and reduce the reliance on private vehicles. This includes the expansion of public transit options, such as the Metrobús system, which is a low-emission alternative to the subway, and the introduction of Ecobici bicycles, which can be used by the public for free. The government has also designated bike lanes on roads and introduced hybrid and electric taxis.

Another initiative is the ProAire programme, which has been through several iterations since its launch in 1995. ProAire IV, the most recent phase, addresses eight themes, including the promotion of public transport and the regulation of fuel consumption. One of the goals of ProAire is to minimise unnecessary emissions by amending bus routes and shifts based on algorithms and introducing cleaner buses that meet the EURO V standard.

Mexico has also worked to improve public transportation in Mexico City by equipping buses with newer diesel technologies and using remote sensors to identify high-emitting vehicles.

Results

The efforts to reduce air pollution in Mexico have yielded significant results. Mexico City, which was once named the world's most polluted city, has now dropped to the 917th most polluted city in the world as of 2021. While there is still work to be done, the improvements in air quality have had a positive impact on the health of citizens, adding 3.2 to 3.4 years to the average life expectancy between 1990 and 2015 and saving 22,500-28,000 lives.

Air quality forecasting

Mexico City's air quality is monitored by the air-quality monitoring system (IMECA), which uses eight system monitors located across the city to measure the levels of these six pollutants. The data collected by IMECA is then used to generate an index that falls into one of five categories: Good, Fair, Poor, Harmful, and Extremely Harmful. These categories indicate the level of pollution and the potential risk to human health, with Good indicating minimal health risk and Extremely Harmful indicating a high risk of serious health effects for all individuals.

In addition to the IMECA system, Mexico City also utilizes the Índice Metropolitano de la Calidad del Aire (Metropolitan Index of Air Quality) to measure air pollution in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area, which is contained within the Valley of Mexico. This index takes into account the unique topography of the city, which is located in a basin where air pollutants tend to be trapped, exacerbating the effects of poor air quality.

To address the air quality issues in Mexico City, the government has implemented various policies and initiatives over the years. One notable example is the "Hoy No Circula" program, which restricts vehicle circulation based on emissions performance. However, this policy has faced criticism due to its limited long-term effectiveness as people often choose to purchase additional cars instead of using public transportation on restricted days.

More comprehensive programs such as ProAire have also been introduced. ProAire addresses eight key areas, including the reduction of energy consumption, promotion of public transport, technology shift and emissions control, environmental education, green areas and reforestation, and institutional capacity building. The latest iteration of ProAire includes targeted measures like the renewal of the bus fleet and the expansion of the city's subway network and bike-sharing initiatives.

Mexico has also demonstrated its commitment to reducing air pollution on a national level by passing the General Law on Climate Change in 2012, creating a legal obligation to address short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). The country has set ambitious targets, including a 25% reduction in Black Carbon emissions by 2030, with the potential to increase to 40% with international support.

The success of these initiatives is evident in Mexico City's improved air quality rankings. While it was once named the world's most polluted city, it has now dropped to the 917th most polluted city in the world as of 2021. However, there is still work to be done, as ground-level ozone remains a significant concern, particularly during the spring season due to the hot and dry climate in Mexico.

Eco-friendly art

Upcycled Trash Art

Some eco-friendly artists, such as Marina DeBris, create art from upcycled trash to raise awareness about pollution. DeBris, who is listed with the Women Environmental Artists Directory, collaborates with various anti-pollution organisations. She creates "trashion", or art, jewellery, fashion and home objects from trash and other discarded items. Similarly, Moffat Takadiwa, a contemporary visual artist from Zimbabwe, creates stunning artworks from trash and upcycled clothing. Laura Madden, a sustainable artist, also specialises in abstract upcycled art, aiming to create more style with less waste.

Natural Media

Bettina Werner, the world-renowned "Queen of Salt", is the first artist to use salt as her primary medium. She harnesses the beauty of Sicilian salt to create unique visual commentaries on life, love, and spirituality. Salt, which Werner believes represents knowledge and wisdom, has a long history and holds a necessity in human life. Another unique medium is mycelium, the material used to grow mushrooms. Maria Medina-Schechter creates paintings and sculptures from mycelium and paints with organic pigments derived from blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, teas, and coffee. Her artwork is as green as any houseplant and helps clean the air.

Land Art

Andy Goldsworthy, a renowned land artist, creates transitory sculptures and installations using natural materials found nearby, such as wood, icicles, mud, flower petals, and stones. His works often exist for just a matter of minutes before disappearing, but they are captured in photographs and videos, such as the 2001 documentary 'Rivers and Tides'. Another example of land art is the work of Moses Ocheing and Pangea Sculptures, who create sculptures of animals from recycled metal discarded by the car industry.

Air Pollution-Based Ink

Anirudh Sharma, the founder of Graviky Labs, has developed a technology that captures particulate matter from diesel exhaust systems and treats it to create Air-Ink, which is then used by artists around the world. So far, Graviky Labs has captured 1.6 billion micrograms of particulate matter, equivalent to collecting 1.6 trillion litres of outdoor air.

Social Commentary

The New York-based animation artist Jeff Hong twists classic Disney characters and settings to make bold socio-ecological statements. For example, he depicts Ariel emerging from a filthy sea covered in an oil spill and Mulan walking the smoggy streets of contemporary China with a mask. Through these images, Hong stresses the importance of safeguarding the planet and each other to ensure a happy ending.

Mexico, once labelled as the world's most polluted city, has made significant strides in reducing air pollution. The country has implemented various policies and initiatives, such as the "Hoy No Circula" programme, which restricts vehicle usage based on emissions testing, and the ProAire programme, which focuses on sustainable development and improving air quality. Mexico has also worked closely with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and was the first developing country to submit a climate pledge to the Paris Climate Change Conference in 2015. These collective efforts have led to a notable improvement in Mexico's air quality.

Solar panel integration

Mexico has implemented several initiatives and policies to reduce air pollution, and solar panel integration is one of the key strategies.

Mexico's potential for solar power generation is significant. 70% of the country experiences high insolation levels, meaning that solar energy could become a major source of electricity. In fact, with 15% efficient photovoltaics, an area of just 25km square in the state of Chihuahua or the Sonoran Desert (0.01% of Mexico) could supply the entire country's electricity needs.

Mexico has also passed laws to promote renewable energy sources. In 2012, a law was introduced requiring 35% of electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2024, with a target of reducing carbon emissions by 50% below 2000 levels by 2050. This, combined with declining solar installation costs, is expected to result in a substantial increase in solar capacity. At the Solar Power Mexico conference, experts predicted that solar energy could provide up to 5% of Mexico's energy by 2030 and up to 10% by 2050.

Mexico was the second-largest solar generator in Latin America in 2016, with 180 MW of installed capacity and over 500 MW under construction. The country has also benefited from Long-Term Energy Auctions, with solar photovoltaic (PV) energy expected to increase to 6% in 2018 and 13% in 2019.

The adoption of solar panels among Mexican small and medium-sized businesses is also being studied. Researchers have identified several factors that influence the adoption of solar PV systems, including business characteristics, economic sector, ownership status, and views on renewable energy.

Overall, Mexico's efforts to integrate solar panel technology demonstrate a commitment to reducing air pollution and transitioning to renewable energy sources.

Clean outdoor spaces

Mexico has implemented several measures to reduce air pollution and improve clean outdoor spaces. Here are some key initiatives:

Expanding Green Spaces

The Mexican government has recognised the importance of increasing green areas to improve air quality. One notable project is the creation of Parque Ecológico Cuitláhuac in the Iztapalapa neighbourhood. This 358-acre park, once a trash dump, has undergone a massive revitalisation project led by a team of scientists, engineers, and specialists. The park is constructed using recycled materials and is being opened in three phases, with the final sections set to open in 2022. This project is a significant step towards providing clean outdoor spaces for the residents of Mexico City.

ProAire Programme

The ProAire programme, now in its fourth iteration (ProAire IV), addresses eight key themes to improve air quality and promote sustainability. One of the critical areas of focus is the expansion of green areas and reforestation. The programme aims to recover, restore, conserve, and expand urban green spaces to mitigate particle resuspension and improve air quality. This initiative aligns with the goal of increasing green spaces in various neighbourhoods to create sustainable improvements in Mexico City's air quality.

BreatheLife Campaign

Mexico City joined the BreatheLife campaign in 2018, committing to establishing an air quality monitoring system and emissions inventory. As part of this campaign, the city has implemented several clean energy initiatives. These include removing lead from gasoline, reducing sulphur content in diesel fuel, closing an oil refinery, and reformulating liquefied petroleum gas for cooking and heating. These measures contribute to reducing air pollution and creating cleaner outdoor environments.

National Strategy to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants

In 2019, Mexico launched a National Strategy to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, aiming to improve local air quality while mitigating near-term temperature increases. This strategy focuses on nine mitigation measures across eight sectors, including transport, brick kilns, and solid waste management. By implementing these measures, Mexico aims to achieve its target of reducing black carbon emissions by 2030, contributing to cleaner outdoor spaces.

Low-Emission Public Transit

Mexico City has expanded its public transit options to include low- and zero-emission alternatives. The Metrobús, a low-emission bus system, was introduced as part of the ProAire programme. Additionally, the city has designated bike lanes and introduced the Ecobici bicycle-sharing system, providing residents with eco-friendly transportation options. These initiatives not only reduce vehicle emissions but also encourage the use of cleaner modes of transportation, contributing to cleaner outdoor spaces.

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