It's funny how everything is a matter of perspective. I'd say that European governments are pretty "center" on average, given that they mostly range from social democracy to liberal conservatism.
But anyway, in most medium to large European cities there is little reason to drive. The restrictions on vehicles are overwhelmingly positive for residents' quality of life and the environment.
Guess who is physically harmed the most by using two stroke powered lawn equipment? Those same "poor" operators who run it all day every day. What is the upgrade cost vs asthma, cancer, neuropathy, and permanent hearing damage? Even from a completely selfish perspective electric is a no-brainer.
> For example, European cities banning diesel vehicles.
At least in Paris, poor people are not often the ones driving into Paris for work, they're mostly taking the metro in from the suburbs.
Paris has some moderate air pollution problems, often among the worst European or American cities (of course, globally there's much worse), and that effects everyone's quality of life and long-term health in a myriad of ways that we don't fully understand yet, as well as in some obvious ways that we already understand.
Of course there's always a bit of political show-boating with these things, and so the French left-wing do this with their pet issues, namely environmental issues. But that show-boating doesn't diminish the tangible positive effects of the policy...
ginja|5 years ago
But anyway, in most medium to large European cities there is little reason to drive. The restrictions on vehicles are overwhelmingly positive for residents' quality of life and the environment.
michelpp|5 years ago
snakeboy|5 years ago
At least in Paris, poor people are not often the ones driving into Paris for work, they're mostly taking the metro in from the suburbs.
Paris has some moderate air pollution problems, often among the worst European or American cities (of course, globally there's much worse), and that effects everyone's quality of life and long-term health in a myriad of ways that we don't fully understand yet, as well as in some obvious ways that we already understand.
Of course there's always a bit of political show-boating with these things, and so the French left-wing do this with their pet issues, namely environmental issues. But that show-boating doesn't diminish the tangible positive effects of the policy...
octonion|5 years ago