Every year on 22 September, around the world celebrate the World Car free Day. The purpose of this day is to encourage the motorists to give up their cars for a day. This day highlights the benefits of going to car-free to citizens by reduced the air pollution and promotion of walking and cycling in the favor of saving environment. For example, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the horses are ridden in the streets to promote world car free day.

Many people around the world consider that the cars are necessity, without it they would not be able to zip their destination. According to the report, throughout the world approximately 1.4 billion cars on the road.

According to World Car free Network, the World Car Free Day can be showcase for just how our cities look like without cars and sound like without cars.

This day are an opportunity for cities to highlight how the narrow roads can be used in different ways.

Transports are the major sources of Air Pollution:

Car free days are a massive opportunity for cities to realize how air pollution affects us. The vehicles emission are the main outdoor sources of air pollution. There are four types of pollutants that comes from vehicles emission.

  • Particulate matter, which are small in amount but when it comes to air its cause damage to people lungs and participate in atmospheric haze.
  • Nitrogen oxide, which form when fuel burns because of oxygen and nitrogen reacting with each other.
  • Hydrocarbons, a toxic compound of carbon and hydrogen which emitted by the exhaust on a car. 
  • Carbon monoxide, which emitted when the car fuel is not completely burned.

According to the world health organization, in 2016, the death of 4.2 million people caused by only ambient air pollution. Transports are the only fastest growing sources of CO2 emission and it ultimately the largest contributor to the climatic change.

During Covid-19 situation, the transportation activities reduced and its ultimately reduced the level of air pollution.

Benefits:

It is benefits in terms of promoting other modes of transports such as cycling. They are obviously the great way to ensure that you stay healthy and participate in some exercise. Also have some other benefits such as:

  • Reduced wear and tear on your vehicles
  • Increased savings
  • Lower maintenance costs
  • Decreased carbon footprint

We should encourage the other to celebrate the world car free day and must take part in saving environment by promoting these days and do some activities regarding environment. 

About the Author: Aqsa Abid has completed her BS in Environmental Sciences from GC Women University, Sialkot.