EPIGRAM
22/12/2022 Issue no. 367 Est. 1989
Page 5
The University of Bristol's Award Winning Independent Student Newspaper
BETWEEN THE SHEETS NEWS Persian Society protests the killing of young Iranians Page 3
FEATURES 'I'm dreaming of a green Christmas' Page 4
ARTS Future careers: is a degree in arts and humanities a waste? Page 7
CAZ Catastrophe?
MUSIC The darker side of 'White Christmas' Page 10
SCI-TECH Psilocybin: the 'magic' cure for our mental health crisis? Page 13
SPORT Bristol Men's first XV win 'Battle of the Bridge' Page 15
CONTENTS News Features Arts Film&TV Music Sci-Tech Sport
P2 P4 P6 P8 P10 P12 P14
Epigram speaks to Carla Denyer, CoLeader of the Green Party, about Bristol's new 'Clean Air Zone' and the consequences of its delay. Rosie Neville
Economics and Politics, Third Year
B
ristol’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) - which opened on Monday the 28th of November - will introduce daily charges for older, more polluting vehicles driven in the city centre and harbourside area. It is being introduced to improve air quality in Bristol - specifically to reduce nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels - after it was found that Bristol was in breach of the annual objective limit for NO2, set at 40µg/m3. Epigram reached out to Carla Denyer, who was elected as the co-leader for the Green party in 2021, to hear her thoughts on the Clean Air Zone. She has been a Bristol city councillor since 2015 for Clifton Down and is credited with putting forward the motion that made Bristol the first city in the UK
to declare a climate emergency. When Epigram asked if the CAZ is ambitious enough to tackle Bristol’s breaches of the annual objective for NO2, Denyer pointed out that the multiple delays and false starts (it was originally meant to start at the 'lateest' in April 2021) to the proposed scheme have had real-life consequences. CD: ‘The main problem with Bristol’s CAZ is the enormous delay in its implementation.’ ‘Nobody would accept six years of failure to act if polluted tap water was leading to hundreds of deaths per year. 'It has terrible, real-life consequences. Estimates are that 300 lives are lost every year in Bristol due to the toxic air quality.' Whilst Carla spoke in support of a Clean Air Zone, she suggested it is not comprehensive enough to tackle the high air pollution levels. What is needed is ‘A major upgrade of Bristol’s transport’. This would theoretically help the reduction of pollution levels. CD: ‘The Labour Mayor has claimed clean air will be at legal levels by 2023. 'Despite this target not changing, it does seem unlikely that this can
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be implemented given the delays 'For example, blue badge holders experienced and alterations made to are only exempt from the Clean the scheme. Air Zone charges for the first few ‘As in many other cities, the Clean months. Air Zone being introduced in Bristol 'While some disabled people can is required to address Nitrogen Dioxuse public transport - more could if ide targets set by the government. accessibility was improved - others But there are problems with this. will always need to use a specially There is no safe level of NO2. The adapted car, so it is unfair to charge CAZ aims to get NO2 pollution down them for this.’ to legal levels, which is not the same Carla Denyer was also keen to as safe levels.’ elaborate on what the Green Party is ‘To bring down the deaths and doing nationally. disease caused by air pollution we CD: ‘The Green Party is calling need to tackle both NO2 and particfor local councils and the national ulates. government to go 'This is why the much further to Green Party have 'Estimates are that 300 protect our health. previously called The Greens have lives are lost every year tabled for a stronger and the 'Clean more comprehen- in Bristol due to toxic air Air Bill', known as sive CAZ in Bristol, Ella’s Law, which quality' one that goes if passed 'could beyond a short protect thousands term fix to improve of unnecessary health and quality early deaths from of life for the whole city.’ air pollution every year.’ Disability campaigners united out‘Ella’s Law would force the Govside City Hall on the 18th of October ernment to act to bring air quality to highlight how current plans for in every community up to minimum Bristol’s clean air zone will detrimenWorld Health Organization (WHO) tally impact disabled communities standards of human right, meaning CD: ‘BCC is not ensuring that the people no longer have to breathe air Clean Air Zone is inclusive enough. that seriously damages their health.’
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