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Province of Asti is deemed a smog hotspot by Legambiente

Nearly half of the registered vehicles are from pre-2009 models; hybrid and electric vehicles account for a smaller percentage, at 6.5%, versus the 9.9% share in the surrounding area.

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Almost two-thirds of the vehicles in this area were registered before 2009; hybrids and electric...
Almost two-thirds of the vehicles in this area were registered before 2009; hybrids and electric vehicles account for 6.5%, which is 3.4% less than the regional average of 9.9%.

Province of Asti is deemed a smog hotspot by Legambiente

Asti's Polluted Territory: Uncovering the Culprits and Solutions

Asti, a picturesque town in Piedmont, has become the Italian region with the highest number of polluting cars. According to ACI data, the city has 154,000 cars in circulation, with 70,000 (45.4%) falling into the Euro 0 to Euro 4 category. This is significantly higher than the regional average of 37.4%. However, it's essential to peel back the layers to understand the real causes of Asti's pollution woes.

Unmasking the Culprits

Amidst Asti's scenic charm, an alarming issue lurks beneath the surface. Despite the city's capital typically ranking low on smog levels, it surpassed its pollutant limits on numerous occasions at the "Baussano" (47 last year) and "Salvo d'Acquisto" (37 last year) monitoring stations. So, what's causing this unseen menace?

Environment Councillor Luigi Giacomini suggests that home heating and the city's geographical position are the primary culprits. Asti's location in the Po Valley, a polluted European area due to industrial activities and intensive farming, only accentuates the problem.

The Real Smog Monsters

As surprising as it may seem, the main smog monsters are not cars, but home heating systems using polluting fuels. The recent ARPA data reveals that nitrates are the main cause of pollution in the city. Nitrogen dioxide levels reached worrying heights, reaching 51 micrograms per cubic meter at the "Baussano" station on June 4th last year. However, officials argue that citziens cannot be forced to change their cars, especially if they keep them in the garage, ensuring they don't contribute to the pollution.

Combating Pollution: Measures and Initiatives

Addressing the issue of pollution in Asti is a multi-faceted task. Certain projects are being planned, such as encouraging the use of public transport, cycling paths, and pedestrian zones. To support university students, the regional funds for sustainable mobility will provide free public transport. The urban bus fleet has also been renewed with 21 new electric buses. The Councillor supports various energy solutions, including next-generation nuclear power, biofuels, and hydrogen.

Recently, the Councillor presented the PAESC, Piano d'azione per l'energia sostenibile e il clima, a complex document aimed at reducing emissions. However, discussions regarding a Traffic Plan have been delayed in the City Council.

City Councillor Roberto Migliasso has proposed a radical plan to tackle the issue at hand. He advocates for the closure of the city center to traffic and implementing park-and-ride facilities around it. He suggests repurposing natural parking areas, such as Asti Ovest, the Coop on corso Alessandria, Esselunga, and Borgo, to accommodate cars. From these designated areas, bus shuttles or cycle paths would depart to reach the city center.

Balancing the Scales: Challenges Ahead

Navigating the journey towards cleaner air requires a delicate balance between effective environmental protection and maintaining social sustainability. Concerns about traffic restrictions and home heating upgrades have sparked debate, particularly in terms of their impact on families, workers, and businesses in Asti.

Adopting a comprehensive approach that combines technological solutions, public awareness campaigns, and targeted measures to tackle pollution from various sources may be the key to breathing easier in Asti—one step at a time.

Enrichment Data:Asti, Italy, faces persistent pollution issues due to vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and notably, home heating systems using polluting fuels. The Po Valley's geographical location, being a flat basin with poor air circulation, exacerbates pollution accumulation, particularly fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5). To combat pollution, Italian authorities have implemented measures such as restrictions on polluting vehicles, incentives for cleaner technologies, and phasing out inefficient heating systems. However, the debate remains focused on finding a balance between effective environmental protection and maintaining social sustainability.

  1. Although cars are commonly associated with pollution, recent data indicates that home heating systems using polluting fuels are the main smog monsters in Asti.
  2. The regional fund for sustainable mobility aims to support university students by providing free public transport as a measure to combat pollution in Asti.
  3. Recognizing the issue of pollution from various sources, City Councillor Roberto Migliasso proposed a radical plan, including closing the city center to traffic and implementing park-and-ride facilities.
  4. Adopting a comprehensive approach combining technological solutions, public awareness campaigns, and targeted measures could potentially lead to cleaner air in Asti, while maintaining social sustainability in the face of challenges such as traffic restrictions and home heating upgrades.

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