Clean Air is a non-rival and non-excludable public good[1] whereas air is consumed by an individual without preventing simultaneous consumption by others and any individual are entitled to use without having to pay for the benefits of usage of air. Air is considered a free good wherein it is available in great quantity at a zero opportunity cost for the government and the community. Practically, air is so abundant that it is enough for everyone to have as much as they need and desire. However, man tends to abuse this public good.
As an environmental and health risk, air pollution, whether indoor or outdoor, remains as a major concern worldwide particularly in megacities in developing countries. According to the World Health organization (WHO), a quarter of the world population is exposed to unhealthy concentrations of air pollutants and it can cause serious health damages especially to children. Health impacts of air pollution include chronic and acute respiratory infections.[2]
Preserving air quality must be a worldwide effort. In lieu, many governments are adopting various guidelines and implementing several regulations regarding maintaining and sustaining the air quality as measured by air quality index (AQI)[3]. Canada and United States, for example, expressed interest in reducing transboundary pollution. The countries commit to prevent air quality deterioration and to protect visibility from sources which can possibly cause pollution[4].
Canada employed the Canada-Wide Acid rain Strategy for Post-2000 and implemented Canada-Wide Standards for particulate Matter and Ozone. Such programs include pollution prevention, continuous improvement (CI) and keeping clean areas clean (KCAC). Moreover, the US implemented the Prevention of Significant Air Quality Deterioration (PSD) Program which aims to limit future air pollution from new major sources. The PSD program protects the public through best available control technology (BACT), air quality modeling and limiting increase on air pollution to levels below current standards[5].
In Asia, many cities developed air quality management (AQM) systems in order to address the increased level of urban air pollutions. A study made by the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities proved that, on average, a moderate to a slight decrease in pollution levels for sulfur dioxide, total suspended particulate matter (SPM) and fine particulates. This finding further proved that AQM policies and measures can work[6].
Domestically, Air Pollution Index (API) levels for Hong Kong relates to the measured concentrations of ambient respirable suspended particulate (RSP), sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone and nitrogen dioxide. According to Hanhn Chu Hon-keung, Friends of Earth environmental affairs manager, Hong Kong is not even close to the current WHO standards especially for RSP. Accordingly, the Hong Kong government is taking full responsibility in preserving air quality in the region. The worsening of air pollution is addressed by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). In connection, EPD hired a consultant to outline a new set of air quality objectives[7].
EPD also organized the Action Blue Sky Campaign with “Clean Air for a Cool Hong Kong!” as its slogan. The campaign aims at encouraging the community and the business sector to take part in cleaning-up the air and the people to help improve air quality at a personal level. Such measures include setting air conditioners to 25.5 degrees Celsius, using energy-efficient products, switching-off idling engines and reducing consumptions of products which contains volatile organic compound[8].
More particularly, the electricity generation is documented as the biggest source of air pollution in Hong Kong. The EPD had asked the power companies to accelerate emission reduction projects, increase ultra-low sulfur coal use and use natural gas for power generation. The department will also adapt Euro IV emission standards to newly-registered vehicles soon[9].
The campaign also emphasizes the role of green groups, councils, local business community and students to promote energy-efficiency and conservation, educate the academia about air pollution and showcase best environmental practices in business and industrial operations which other companies can adapt[10].
Generally, we are all affected by air pollution in one way or another. We are all exposed to air pollutants which affects human health. With this regard, it is every individual’s duty to protect and preserve this public good. Essentially, public education and awareness informs the public of their clean air responsibilities and underway initiatives of the local community to improve the air quality[11]. Moreover, the success of this effort lies in the hand of many. Optimal partnerships and collective participations are the keys in effective management of the air quality. The role of organized groups such as the non-government organizations (NGOs) and research institutes must not be taken for granted and underestimated for they highlight issues, conduct independent analysis and advocate possible solutions to policy-makers and implementing agencies[12].
In order to achieve public “buy-in”, socially-equitable and easily-understandable air quality and transport plans are also important. An air quality campaign, to be effective, must enhance awareness and influence public attitudes and create a necessary political will to improve air quality[13]. With this, air quality education must be a priority. This objective can be achieved through providing regional and local air quality information in public domains such as websites, bulletins, newsletters and etc[14].
In addition, the government could organize events regarding compliance on air quality regulations and clean air standards, work with school districts and universities to develop air quality curricula, reward and recognize innovative approaches, encourage consumers to consumers to purchase energy-efficient products and publicize contact informations of direct air quality authorities[15].
In sum, we all should be aware and familiar with properties of air, what air pollution is, how each of us contributes to pollution and what we can do to prevent it[16]. Saving energy reduces pollution and saves money, too. And air quality is analogous to human health. Thus, to protect and preserve air is to maintain the quality of life for everyone. On this note, we all must play a part in maintaining the quality of air we breathe. More than public education and awareness and collective involvement in addressing the issue, it is a personal obligation to give back to nature. As a public good, air must not be exploited and abused.
Reference List
Air Pollution. (2007). World Health Organization.
Air Qualities in Asian Cities. (2006). Clean Air Initiatives (CAI).
Air Quality Index (AQI) – A Guide to Air Quality and Your Health. (n.d.) AIRNow.
Air Quality Workshops for Elementary, Middle and High School. (2005). Division of Air Quality, Department of Environment and Natural Resources. North Carolina.
Chapter 16: Public Goods and Tax Policy. Retrieved on 19 October 19, 2007 from http://dss.ucsd.edu/~jhamilto/Econ2_lec23_govt.pdf.
Education and Awareness. (n.d.). Clean Air Initiatives (CAI).
Guidance Document for Addressing Air Quality Issues in General Plans and Local Planning. (2005). South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD).
HK Launches Action Blue Sky Campaign. (25 July 2006). Hong Kong SAR Information Services Department. Retrieved on 19 October 2007.
Policy Guidelines for reducing Vehicle Emissions in Asia: Transport Planning and Traffic Management for Better Air Quality. (2003). Asian Development Bank (ADB). p. 33-34.
Section 2 Progress and Commitment. Air Quality Agreement: 2002 Progress Report. Retrieved on 19 October 2007 from http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/progsregs/usca/docs/airus02.pdf. pp. 2-7.
[1] Chapter 16: Public Goods and Tax Policy. Retrieved on 19 October 2007 from http://dss.ucsd.edu/~jhamilto/Econ2_lec23_govt.pdf
[2] Air Pollution. 2007. World Health Organization (WHO).
[3] Air Quality Index (AQI) – A Guide to Air Quality and Your Health. AIRNow.
[4] Section 2 Progress and Commitment. Air Quality Agreement: 2002 Progress Report. Retrieved on 19 October 2007 from http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/progsregs/usca/docs/airus02.pdf. pp. 2-7.
[5] Ibid, pp. 2-7.
[6] Air Qualities in Asian Cities. (2006). Clean Air Initiatives (CAI).
[7] HK Launches Action Blue Sky Campaign. (25 July 2006). Hong Kong SAR Information Services Department. Retrieved on 19 October 2007.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10] HK Launches Action Blue Sky Campaign. (25 July 2006).
[11] Education and Awareness. (n.d.). CAI.
[12] Policy Guidelines for reducing Vehicle Emissions in Asia: Transport Planning and Traffic Management for Better Air Quality. (2003). Asian Development Bank (ADB). p. 33.
[13] Ibid. p. 34.
[14] Guidance Document for Addressing Air Quality Issues in General Plans and Local Planning. (2005). South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD).
[15] Guidance Document for Addressing Air Quality Issues in General Plans and Local Planning. (2005). AQMD.
[16] Air Quality Workshops for Elementary, Middle and High School. (2005). Division of Air Quality, Department of Environment and Natural Resources. North Carolina.
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