Auckland’s Air Kills

Clean Air Auckland and their supporters will demonstrate to raise awareness of the terrible state of Auckland’s air quality tomorrow, 22 July 2003, during the morning rush hour (around 8 am) at the Nelson Street/ Hobson Street motorway off ramps.

“I'm working for cleaner air because of my daughter,” says Clean Air Auckland co-chair Nancy Eisenberg. “I'm concerned about how she is breathing in the toxic components of vehicle emissions, and it makes me really angry that I can't protect her from Auckland's air.”

“Our group, Clean Air Auckland, has been collecting signatures on a petition that demands the introduction of vehicle emission standards and a mandatory vehicle emissions test at the WOF. We also campaign for the introduction of cleaner fuel faster than presently scheduled by the government,” said Ms Eisenberg.

“We have collected more than 250 signatures since the launch of our petition just over two weeks ago. Groups such as Asthma Auckland, the Motor Industry Association and Cycle Action Auckland support Clean Air Auckland’s petition. We have received many supportive comments from people via e-mail. Even people from Wellington have commented and asked us if they could sign the petition since not only Auckland has a pollution problem.”

“A lot of Aucklanders suffer from the health effects of air pollution, which is mainly caused by vehicle emissions. Therefore we want the government to put controls in place so that vehicle emissions can be controlled to an accepted standard, as is already the case in most countries. A partial review of fuel standards is planned for 2005, but we want cleaner fuels faster than currently scheduled and demand a review of the legislation this year,” said co-chair Tine Haas.

“We realise that there will be some costs associated with the introduction of emission standards but indisputably there will also be cost savings from fewer hospital admissions. Doing nothing now will ultimately cost us more five years down the track,” said Ms Haas.

To obtain copies of the petition or to join the group, contact Nancy Eisenberg e-mail mailto:cleanairauckland@yahoo.co.nz.

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