Low-Carbon Development Strategy and diesel emissions

Nov 20, 2009 Letters

---

Dear Editor,
With respect to the ‘low-carbon development strategy’ fever presently on the airwaves and local events, I would like to take the opportunity to raise an issue that has been ignored for quite some time.
From the gist of the Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) campaign and the minutes on the LCDS website, it would appear that the strategy constitutes primarily of Guyana’s forest and the carbon credit it earns. It would be nice if a position can be given on other glaring aspects of carbon emission as it relates to the welfare of the environment and its populace from this same platform.
For example, vehicles that produce excessive soot on our roadways commonly seen as thick black exhaust smoke, which never fail to lock off the throats of hapless commuters on a daily basis.
One would be quick to say that Guyana does not have the number of vehicles to be considered a significant contributor of carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere and thus lay off the topic. However, as many of you may know, climate scientists attribute the effects of global warming to the ever increasing ratio of carbon dioxide to other particles presently in the atmosphere, one of the Green House Gases that builds its strength from the emissions of many countries, large and small collectively.
It’s an element that has been continuously increasing in concentration since the 1960’s among other GHGs. In light of this, it’s hard to see why emissions from small countries wouldn’t matter whether they have the forests or not. Guyana has taken a stance to combat global warming so it is expected that glaring contributing factors such as vehicle emissions will be treated with the same level of respect.
Returning to the issue of excessive soot on our roadways, on any given day and practically any road, vehicles, mostly diesel powered ones, can be observed emitting thick black exhaust smoke. This practice, indicative of negligence and ignorance on the part of the owner, has become increasingly prevalent over the years correlating directly with the expansion of business activities and vehicle imports. Contrary to the slogan for GuyExpo 2009, “Doing Business in a Low Carbon Environment,” owners of these vehicles are downright doing business with a ‘high-carbon development’ strategy as over 99% of these vehicles are owned by one form of business or another ranging from logging, shipping, construction, food merchandise, transportation, and general hiring, etc.
From observation, excessive black exhaust is synonymous with a poorly maintained vehicle. Unfortunately, many times to the inconvenience, annoyance, and poisoning of commuters this characteristic is not enough to merit the appropriate servicing by owners. The vehicles continue to deliver so it’s business as usual. Live for today and let tomorrow worry about itself so to speak. Owners are in utter need of sensitization on the health hazards of this practice.
What are the implications of asthmatics, pregnant mothers, or infants inhaling this type of smoke and particles passively or reluctantly on a regular basis? For example, in bumper to bumper traffic on morning commutes directly behind one of these smoke bombs.
We are not herrings and insects to be smoked and exterminated by these irresponsible vehicle owners.
I am not saying that only vehicles that produce zero smoke are good. Internal combustion engines do emit harmful gases whether the exhaust is visible or not. However, this excessive black exhaust is thick and suffocating, as it contains particles too small to be filtered by the respiratory tract.
These vehicles did not roll off the production line emitting this type of exhaust as they were properly tuned with the correct air to fuel ratio and equipped with relevant particle filters and/or diesel oxidation catalysts, etc.
Because these vehicles can continue to function with an inefficiently tuned engine as they age and without the said devices, it is common practice in the small world of Guyana for owners to remain passive as they are penny wise and pound foolish.
Indeed there are older models which predate these technologies and can be excused to a certain extent, but this does not mean they are exempt from remedial action such as being retro-fitted with emission control devices.
We need the soot off of our roadways and out of our lungs. Practically every two years Guyana passes a new law in adapting to a changing world and emulating model countries, for example, wire-tapping law, cell phone law, seat-belt law, tinted windows law, and taxi colour code law to name a few.
I am sure one can be passed to phase out this unhealthy and irresponsible practice in this day and age. Alternatively, taxes can be lowered or waived on the devices necessary for cleaner emissions for those wanting to retrofit their vehicles and make a difference voluntarily in support of the LCD Strategy.
Until then, affected commuters are powerless and voiceless as the soot-puffing imbeciles are within their rights to continue.
They are merely living for today within the scope of their limited understanding, oblivious of what is brewing for tomorrow’s health and environmental wise. It is not healthy to force our lungs to absorb this kind of emission every single day.
A lot of us do not even smoke cigarettes, but find ourselves smoking this toxic soot every time we use the roads.
We would not put a tobacco in the hands of our little children yet we are quietly allowing the smoke-mobiles to puff toxins and particles into their little lungs. We cannot hold our breaths forever. It’s such a shame that the EPA has not recognised this problem to date. What a lame pack of cocktail procrastinators.
Timal Mangra

---

---