The Bilbao City Hall has launched the Low Emissions Zone in June, although fines are not expected to start to be imposed until September. This measure will limit the entry of old vehicles to the bourgeois esplanade of Bilbao from Monday to Friday, according to EiTB. Petrol vehicles originally registered before the year 2000 or diesel registered before 2006 will not be able to enter, but the measures will be strengthened and only category C or ECO cars will be available by 2030.
The theoretical objectives of this measure are the fight against pollution and climate change, but it has already received criticism from the environmental movement. On the one hand, this measure reinforces the myth of the green car, considering that some cars are cleaned up. The concepts of discharge, car and eco-friendly are incompatible. For example, even though the engine does not emit polluting particles, the friction of the tires generates a lot of polluting particles, and much more than the combustion cars because of the weight of the batteries. In addition, in the case of NO2 particles, which are very harmful to health, an electric car emits 80% of the emissions from a combustion, which means a very low emission reduction.
Something similar happens with greenhouse gases, as electric cars do not directly emit CO2, but both electricity and car production emit several tonnes of CO2, as well as other negative ecological effects.
It will never be ecological to have to move a 1,500 kilogram device to transport a person, even if we draw the car in green
In addition, the car absorbs a high percentage of the public space of the cities (around 70%) and drowns under asphalt, which could be a green environment.
In short, the displacement of an apparatus of 1,500 kilograms to transport a person will never be ecological, even if we draw the car in green.
On the other hand, the classicist tone of the measure has also been criticised by the public. Because if the owner of an old car can approach the center of Bilbao by public transport, why can't an executive that goes to the Iberdrola tower do the same? The car will be a privilege for less and less, but it will not limit the space it occupies in the city.
What do we ecologists propose to do about this? Public transport must be strengthened, cars must be parked by extending the areas of bicycles and pedestrians and cars must be restricted according to needs (neighbours, people with mobility problems…) and not to the economic capacity of the driver.
We want Low Emission Areas, not High Income Areas.
Bidali zure iritzi artikuluak iritzia@argia.eus helbide elektronikora
ARGIAk ez du zertan bat etorri artikuluen edukiarekin. Idatzien gehienezko luzera 4.500 karakterekoa da (espazioak barne). Idazkera aldetik gutxieneko zuzentasun bat beharrezkoa da: batetik, ARGIAk ezin du hartu zuzenketa sakona egiteko lanik; bestetik, egitekotan edukia nahi gabe aldatzeko arriskua dago. ARGIAk azaleko zuzenketak edo moldaketak egingo dizkie artikuluei, behar izanez gero.
The issue of cohesion is today the first responsibility of many governments, public institutions and non-governmental organisations. Indeed, societies with low inequalities more easily generate conditions for economic, social and cultural development, better governance... [+]
The global economy suffered a significant upturn following COVID-19. However, the signs that this increase has reached a stage of exhaustion are clearly conditioned by the climate crisis: the rate of economic growth of the major world powers, productivity is stagnating and... [+]
When I published my first book of poems, they offered me a recital at a university. The musician charged in money and I was given a book about Jorge Oteiza, which I didn't take because I was in my house. This was the first of the unacceptable requests that I have accepted. It was... [+]
It seems that the sixteen-year-old is reflecting on the path that he will follow after high school. In one, he talks about the choice of the specific subjects of the baccalaureate, in the other, of the administrative steps that he will have to perform, without questions, through... [+]
In capitalism, labor is a commodity, so following the mentality of traditional economists, the balance between supply and demand should regulate both price and quantity. Of course, this is not true in reality. If that were the case, it would cause industrial relations to... [+]
I should give up writing this column, but it's late. Elections have been held in France. Where is France? Yes, up here in the north; but in the world I don't know where France is now, what it is. And I don't know when I look at him almost exclusively in fear.
I know almost nothing... [+]
Although significant progress has been made in recent decades in some areas and areas of the Euskaldunization process, in public administrations the Basque Country faces serious obstacles and threats. In addition to the offensive against the Basque people that is taking place in... [+]
The Navarra Federation of Municipalities and Councils was born with the objective of "protecting and promoting their shared interests and local autonomy". A Communication Officer will soon be selected who will have to master Spanish and Basque.
For the PSN-PSOE rejects it... [+]
End of course. The professor in his solitude. It prints the rhythm of the reflection that noise does in the traction of the train: Has the work done this year been worthwhile? Exhausted, thoughtful, remember his friend's words: “Txo, the teachers have no right to complain to... [+]
Summer comes and with it the popular festivals of towns, neighborhoods and cities. Festivities have always been the refuge of social and political demands, neighborhood relations and popular euphoria. They take our streets and for a few days they are an example of... [+]
The Basque Government has just been set up and the Minister for Education will be Begoña Pedrosa. Being a vice-counselor in the previous legislature and being one of the founders of the new Education Law passed last December, we are allowed to ask some... [+]
The last elections have sent us a clear message. We Europeans do not want wars. Ukraine has to end and the politicians have to take steps in this direction as soon as possible. In France and Germany, the far-right has been loosely imposed and the reason is in the war in Ukraine:... [+]