Beijing Tries to Clean Air Before Company Arrives

Benjamin Nugent — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:43:18 +0000

In LA, people can barely handle carpool lanes. I wonder what would happen here if we tried what Beijing just allegedly pulled off: a day when cars with odd-numbered plates have to stay off the road, then another day when the ones with even-numbered plates have to stay home. This was accomplished because their smog is actually worse than ours and they have an Olympics coming up.

If we tried that here, it would be one situation in which having a vanity plate would actually be worth it. (No numbers in WLD DOGZ). So for America I propose an alternate system: women are forbidden from driving one day, men the next. What better way to subject cultural stereotypes regarding driving habits to scientific rigor? Teenagers vs. old people would be next.

Image: flickr/zzanthras777

Bad News: Smog Loves Climate Change

Benjamin Nugent — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:35:04 +0000

I spend a lot of time in Los Angeles, where the smog, as described by local troubador Beck, is “a giant dildo crushing the sun.” You forget about it for awhile, and then you look at the sky close to sunset, and go, wait a minute, why does God’s palette involve so much yellow and brown? The EPA released a document last week stating that because of climate change, those of you in the Northeast and the Midwest will soon have a clearer sense of what I’m talking about.

The EPA draft study states that simulations showed that in those regions, higher average temperatures will potentially lead to longer smog seasons and worse health threats for kids, the elderly, and people with respiratory issues.

Greater visible ecological damage in Midwestern swing states… Electoral boon for greens? Probably depends on how severe and well-publicized the adverse health effects, sadly.

Image: flickr/steven.buss

Better Planet » Smog

Beijing Tries to Clean Air Before Company Arrives

Bad News: Smog Loves Climate Change