Days with no cars driving on streets are believed to be effective in alleviating air pollution. On the other hand, it is argued that there are alternatives regarding effectiveness in reducing the emission of air pollutant. Although both views are equally convincing, this essay holds the second viewpoint that car-free days are not the most effective way.
On one hand, days without operating vehicle helps to draw attention of the mass about eliminating pollutant emission. Car-free days are eye-catchers and individuals will start questioning about why is the campaign is carried out; therefore, through the process of understanding, people may understand the importance of lessening the emissions. For example, after a car-free day in Shenzhen, China, it is observed that there is a significant decrease in car flow in the streets of the region.
On the other hand, developing renewable and green energy source may have a more significant effect on reducing air pollution. The dominant source of the pollutants is the combustion of fossil fuels, which emits huge amount of greenhouse gases and acidic gases into the atmosphere. It is discovered that factories using fuels which is carbon neutral emits tonnes emit tonnes of toxic gases less than the traditional ones.
From my own perspective, development of new energy source would be better than car-free days in terms of solving the problem of air pollution. This is because of the fact that renewable energy can not only eliminate the emission from factory, but also those from cars by replacing the fuels used. For example, a vehicle charged by solar panels does not produce any pollutants when being drove.
In conclusion, it is suggested that car-free days would be a method in reducing air pollutant, yet some argue that having alternative fuel would be more effective. In my opinion, fuel replacement would have a more significant effect due to the fact that it has no pollutant emitted during operation of factories and transportation.