[…] Air quality is in many ways an environmental success story. EU air policy already in place has clearly worked, and it has been effective. .
The air policy package I will present in a few weeks will set out a clear strategy, including new binding emission ceilings and targeted source control measures with the target years 2020, 2025 and 2030. It will create a roadmap for how we can live longer, become healthier, and protect our most fragile ecosystems better. Effective air policy is in fact about creating a better society for all.
Of course, I cannot achieve this alone. Managing the air we breathe cannot be done from Brussels. It requires concerted action in many sectors and policy areas and I will rely on the support and constructive input from all stakeholders. Let us start this dialogue already today. I look forward to your comments and questions. By the way, I am also researcher by training. And what I see for air quality unlike in other areas, there is a clear recognition of the scientific community about the correlation between the pollution and the impacts.
Let me finish with an excellent quote I went through recently from Professor Guy McPherson: “if you think the economy is more important than the environment, try holding your breath while counting your money”.
I would like to add to this: let’s save money and afford a fresh breath of air!
Janez Potcnik
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