Mexico is one of the most important countries in America from a demographic point of view. This also implies the presence of more crowded cities and with a considerably high population density in some cases, as for example in Mexico City, Jalisco or Guadalajara. This leads to a high rate of contamination and, in fact, the D.F. It is considered one of the most polluted regions in the world, especially with regard to air quality. This implies a high risk to health, as well as a significant negative impact on the ecosystems and biodiversity of the area. If you want to know the main causes of environmental pollution in Mexico keep reading Green Ecology and we will tell you about it.
A densely populated city: Mexico City
Although it is true that environmental pollution is a general problem in the cities of Mexico, the D.F. is the one that stands out above the others due to high level of environmental pollution it presents, especially in regards to the air of the region. This problem began in the 60s and 70s of the 20th century and, since then, has been increasing until today, where it is estimated that the air pollution of Mexico City is responsible for the death of 14,000 people a year about.
The main problem Mexico City faces is found in the use of combustion cars, which are the main responsible for the emission of toxic particles into the atmosphere (among which nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide stand out) and which are the cause of respiratory diseases such as asthma or lung cancer. In this sense, one of the problems posed by the Mexican car fleet is the age of many of your vehicles, more pollutants than many contemporary models we adapt to reduce the emission of polluting particles. In addition, to this we must add the traffic jams that form at peak times in the Mexican capital, which lead to the emission of these particles continuously without the vehicles being in motion.
All of this is increased, and in part caused, by the high population density of Mexico City. Officially, Mexico City would have an estimated population of close to 9 million inhabitants. However, if we count the metropolitan area as a whole, this figure shoots up to 20 million inhabitants, which, without modern and sustainable transport infrastructures, means that the use of private vehicles is the preferred option for the majority of citizens, which leads to the very high levels of air pollution referred to.
A general problem of large Mexican cities
However, although the contamination of D.F. It is known for being the most prominent case of environmental pollution in Mexico, it is worth mentioning that it is not the only city in the American country that suffers from this problem. In all cases, it is a problem generated by the same causes, private vehicle preference compared to public transport due to inefficiency and age of infrastructures of this.
Thus, it is estimated that in less than a decade, cities such as Monterrey and Guadalajara could reach the worrying pollution standards observed today in Mexico City. However, it is also important to clarify that, in cases such as Monterrey, the high pollution would not come exclusively from road traffic, but rather the high industrial activity in the area it would be, together with the traffic, the cause of this situation.
Possible solutions
The different Mexican governments have been implementing different solutions to combat the problem of pollution in the large Mexican metropolises. However, to date, all of them have proven insufficient to solve this pressing problem. Among some of the measures that should be implemented To improve air quality, the following would be highlighted:
Improve public transport infrastructure
It is evident that the population has to move within the cities. The only way in which a number of citizens end up choosing public transport over private transport is through improve quality and efficiency of this, improving the transport network with new stops, new transport lines and affordable prices for the majority of the population.
Implementation of the electric vehicle
Another solution is to facilitate entry into the Mexican car park of less polluting vehicles and respectful with the environment and with health, as is the case of electric vehicles.
Reforestation
Reforestation, especially in the bordering and internal areas of the Mexican metropolises, is another of the possible solutions to end Mexico's environmental problems. Despite the fact that some cities in Mexico have large green areas, it is necessary to reforest many of their areas, especially the bordering ones and those that are beyond the most touristy parks.
Raise awareness
Finally, it is essential that the population become aware of the problem posed by pollution so that they are the first to take the recommended measures in each case to minimize its impact. In this way, the use of responsible and sustainable transport will be promoted for the benefit of all.
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