It is good that Limburg has to get to work on reducing the nitrogen problem, believes Onno van Schayck. He is professor of preventive medicine at Maastricht University.
“Our country just breaks down like this,” said Van Schayck on Saturday evening in the television program L1mburg Centraal.
Also read: Nitrogen emissions in Limburg must be more than halved
Reducing emissions
The cabinet has decided that nitrogen emissions must be significantly reduced. In Limburg, the nitrogen must be more than halved. In protected natural areas, emissions must even be reduced by at least 95 percent, and in the ring around these areas by 70 percent.
Van Schayck is satisfied with the decision. “The Netherlands is the most polluting country in Europe when it comes to nitrogen compounds. This should have happened much earlier.” He can understand that it is not good news for farmers. “It is very bad if this is your profession, I understand the shock very well. But we cannot go on like this.”
Also read: ‘Measures nitrogen approach are a socio-economic disaster’
Health
According to the professor, the decision is not only good for nature, but also for public health. “One in five children develops asthma because of nitrogen. Worldwide, one in six people dies from the effects of pollution.” The vast majority of these die as a result of air pollution, explains Van Schayck.
Take action
According to Van Schayck, we are doing too little to improve air quality. For example, he refers to polluting diesel cars and trucks that are allowed into the city center of Maastricht. “I think there is an opportunity for an environmental zone there.” The professor also calls keeping Maastricht Aachen Airport open as a ‘disputable decision’. “The economic added value is not clear. Limburg really suffers from enormous amounts of air pollution.”
Furthermore, according to Van Schayck, people can also contribute by taking the bicycle more often and switching to electric driving. “If people all apply change, then something changes.”