| Topic: | Re:Other people are always the problem | |
| Posted by: | Richard Carter | |
| Date/Time: | 15/02/19 10:15:00 |
| Unfortunately, "confused self-regarding nonsense" accurately described your own contribution. To take a few of your points: Striking a balance between global warming and improving air quality? Both need to be tackled: we need to reduce both CO2 emissions (to attack global warming) and harmful other by-products like NO2 - the statement that "NO2 is not a fossil fuel" is a nonsense in itself - volatile organic compounds and small particulates (to attack the issue of pollution. Euro 5 and 6 diesels may emit fewer particulates but only if the filters are maintained. And it's a mistake to imagine that the engines alone are significant producers of particulates, since tyre dust and brake linings also produce large amounts which, incidentally, is why electric vehicles are not the cure-all answer. "there is no reliable research that convincingly demonstrates that NO2, even in the most elevated levels seen in urban areas, does any damage to health". Comprehensively wrong: there is a vast amount of research demonstrating the health effects: to take only two examples,try the meta-analysis in the European Respiratory Journal (https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2014/02/20/09031936.00114713) and the evidence posted by the American Lung Association (https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/outdoor/air-pollution/nitrogen-dioxide.html). The "idea that all would be fine if we used a double pannier to collect our shopping is that it is a complete fantasy" Of course it is, and I never suggested any such thing. There's a well-known technique of trying to destroy someone's argument by completely distorting. That's what you've done here, and it is as transparent as it is dishonest. "the only way to reduce road traffic is to make the alternatives better and the only way to improve air quality is through technology" Wrong again: a dual approach is needed to reduce traffic: by making it more difficult by taxation or restrictions (the stick) and by improving alternatives (the carrot). And improving air quality cannot wait for as yet unknown technical improvements but by more drastic measures: people's health cannot wait. |