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50 years of protecting Europe's environment: Today the European Union has the most environmentally friendly arsenal of rules in the world and has done more to tackle pressing ecological problems, such as climate change, than any other major power. But it has not always been like this. Caring for the environment did not feature in the Treaty of Rome, the document that gave birth to the modern day EU. Yet environmental problems were never far away. Europe’s love affair with the car was moving into top gear, industry was busy belching out pollutants and raw sewage was being pumped into our rivers and seas.
Located in Environmental topics › Policy instruments › Multimedia
Giving Europe more breathing space: Air pollution has been one of Europe’s main concerns since the late 1970s. Over the last few decades, the rapid growth in industry and increased reliance on cars and public transport has contributed to a rapid decline in air quality, from smog and acid rain to asthma and other respiratory diseases.
Located in Environmental topics › Air pollution › Multimedia
Clean air for Europe: Air pollution is a growing concern in the area of public health. Scientific research shows that air pollutants are behind a higher number of diseases such as respiratory allergies, asthma and inflammatory conditions. It is the most vulnerable segments of populations, the elderly and children, who are the first to be affected by this phenomenon. In May 2001, the European Commission launched its " Clean Air for Europe " (CAFE) programme. This is a three-year programme intended to investigate all sources of air pollution and provide solutions to reduce them.
Located in Environmental topics › Air pollution › Multimedia
Sector split of emissions of acidifying pollutants (EEA member countries; EU-15; EU-27 - EU-15; EFTA-4 and CC-3): Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
EMEP/CORINAIR Emission Inventory Guidebook - 2007: Located in Publications
Air pollution in Europe 1990-2004: Located in Publications
Map of PM10 concentrations in WCE and SEE, 2003, showing the 36th highest daily values at urban background sites superimposed on rural concentrations. Maps constructed from measurements and model calculations (EEA-ETC/ACC Technical Paper 2005/2008): Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Potential reduction in total annual premature deaths (central estimate and 95 % confidence interval (CI)) among people 30 years and over in 26 APHEIS cities: Abstract: The potential health benefits of reducing annual mean PM2.5 levels from the current observed values to 25, 20, 15 and 10 µg/m3 were estimated for the 26 European cities of the APHEIS network in 15 European countries, using well-established methods and published results of research on the effects of current air pollution on public health
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Europe's environment — The fourth assessment: Located in Publications
Europe's environment — The fourth assessment. Executive summary: Located in Publications