[sustran] Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) News Digest :- Vol. 5 Issue 9

sudhir gota sudhirgota at gmail.com
Fri May 23 19:41:27 JST 2008


*Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) News Digest
Vol. 5 Issue 9
23 May 2008*

SUMA News Digest is a free weekly e-mail publication that features
news, information, and events related to sustainable urban
transportation in Asia.


 *** VISIT THE SUMA PAGES: http://www.cleanairnet.org/suma **** *

* *

*HEADLINES *

* *
ASIA: TWO STROKES AND YOU'RE OUT 21 May 2008

David Kushner from Discover Magazine in a news report highlights the problem
of two stroke engines aptly titled "two strokes and you're out". He
indicates that the outdoor air pollution kills 800,000 people a year and
sickens many more and the main contributor is the emissions blasted from the
two stroke engines of motor cycles, scooters etc. Read more of this article
to know how two stroke engines affects your life,

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72698.html



INDIA: STOP BREATHING. THE AIR'S FOUL   20 May 2008

In a detailed news report, Dr. Umarajaratnam reminds us the destructive
quality of air pollution. The author highlights that it's not only the age
and technology incorporated in the automobile that has a bearing on the
level of pollution, but also the manner of driving has a significant impact
on the quantum generated. The solution to our own mess is the clean
technologies and the effective public transportation. Read More

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72695.html



GLOBAL: A TRUE BICYCLE CULTURE REMAINS ELUSIVE 18 May 2008

The issue of utility riders "the people for whom cycling is survival, not
sport" is highlighted in the news article by Murray Whyte. In this blazing
piece on Toronto's driving culture, the author reaffirms the issue of
dedicated right of way for the cyclists.  The author urges people and
planners to consider bicycles as" parallel transit system" rather than a
recreation sport. In his words "In the transportation endgame, with oil
shattering its record high and humanity exploding and urbanizing at its
fastest rate in human history, changing the culture is, unenviably, both a
necessary and near-impossible task." Read More

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72688.html



GLOBAL: FACTS BACK MOVING BEYOND OIL 18 May 2008

The writer who is a green management consultant with Post-Petroleum
Transportation, based in Sausalito, Calif shatters several myths pertaining
to the issue of Oil. He suggests that the Myths associated with Oil
production and consumption is causing the confusion for consumers,
businesses and government policymakers thus delaying our sustainable march.
Read more to know more about myths and facts…

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72689.html



ASIA: ADB PRESIDENT SAYS ASIA MUST ATTRACT CLEAN ENERGY INVESTMENTS

ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda at a climate change seminar in Madrid
announced that with demand for energy in Asia soaring, governments urgently
need to create the right environment to attract investments in clean energy.
He emphasised the fact that Asia's share of worldwide greenhouse gas
emissions has tripled since 1973 and is expected to reach 42% by 2030 unless
there is a dramatic change in the trend to build new coal power plants and
other polluting energy infrastructure across the region.  Read More

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72682.html
GLOBAL: CHRYSLER GASOLINE PRICE GUARANTEE In the age of "Fuel Economy",
"Global Warming" and "Peak Oil", the automobile manufacturer Chrysler has
offered all car purchasers of selected types to pay only $2,99 per gallon.
This move definitely a setback for "sustainable environment" would impact
the vehicle sales. Continuing further, the author suggests that assuming for
similar scheme but with hybrid variety- "for each car purchaser, the
installment for a photovoltaic will be 3 years paid. The photovoltaic is
sized for 12000 miles per years." The scheme would work out more economical
to the Chrysler and thus more greener to the environment. Read More
http://car.pege.org/2008-news/chrysler-gasoline-price.htm

* *More air quality and sustainable mobility news at
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/propertyvalue-14783.html



* * * *

*INTERESTING FINDS *



ECONOMIC INCENTIVES IN A NEW CLIMATE AGREEMENT

By : Joseph E. Aldy & Robert N. Stavins



In this research paper by the authors on behalf of The Harvard Project on
International Climate Agreements, suggested potential use of market-based or
economic-incentive instruments to ensure that polluters face direct cost
incentives to mitigate emissions at the lowest possible cost. The authors
propose that the market based instruments that are most appropriate for
climate policy are taxes and cap-and-trade measures. Under an emission tax,
a government could impose a charge per unit of pollutant discharge, or it
could set a tax on the carbon content of fossil fuels. Under a cap-and-trade
scheme, the government could set an overall cap on emissions, allocates
emission allowances that in sum equal the cap- to firms in the economy, and
allows trade in these allowances among firms. Under a variant of emission
trading – an emission-reduction-credit system – firms generate credits for
reducing their emissions that they can sell into a cap-and-trade system.
Read this interesting proposition



http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72683.html



IMPROVING CAPACITY PLANNING FOR DEMAND-RESPONSIVE PARATRANSIT SERVICES

By: DiwakarGupta, Hao-Wei Chen, Lisa Miller, and Fajarrani Surya

In this Research Project supported by the Minnesota Department of
Transportation and the University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation
Studies, the authors used data from Metro Mobility ( a Para Transit Service
Provider in twin cities) to identify opportunities for improving efficiency
and service quality. The main motive of the researchers were to reoptimize
routes developed by Metro Mobility's route-building software at the end of
each day of booking operations to reduce the total time it takes to serve
booked trips. The other idea was to evaluate the selective use of
non-dedicated vehicles and service providers (e.g. taxi services) for
lowering operational costs. The output of such a research provides the
researchers from across the globe with an opportunity to apply the
underlying principles to a variety of other situations in different parts of
the state and the country.  Read this article to learn more about as to how
para transit can improve its efficiency.

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72700.html


 Key Elements of a Global Deal on Climate Change

By : Nicholas Stern



In this analytical research paper the author suggests that the balance of
scientific evidence implies need for all countries to plan credible
emissions reduction policies now, if mankind is to avoid substantial risks
to future generations. The impact of global warming is already being felt,
and future generations face grave risks if activities continue unaltered.
Delaying action increases the cost of meeting any temperature or
concentration goal, and raises the risks of irreversible impacts as
temperature thresholds are exceeded. The author further suggests the need
for utilizing the the 3 "E" measures namely Effectiveness, Efficiency &
Equity for sustainable development. The author indicates that The UN
Conference of the Parties in Copenhagen in late 2009 would be decisive in
determining the post-2012 policy frameworks, and designing an effective
institutional architecture and our generation should not miss this golden
opportunity.

 Read More



http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72684.html




HOT, THIRSTY AND CROWDED: TIME FOR A MODEL CHANGE

By : Dr John Wormald

In this brilliant special report by Dr. John Wormld, he plays the role of
devil's advocate and dissects the automobile industry for better
appreciation. He investigates the environmental challenges to the automobile
industry; the competitive challenge from Asia; the fight for the aftermarket
cash cow; the innovation challenge; the conflict over original and
non-original parts; and the choices that must be made over the future of the
industry. Though the discussion's and the illustrations are cantered on  the
European automotive industry. But much of the argument is valid globally, as
the same issues are going to crop up in future.

In the process of analysing the industry historical trends and probable
future outlooks, he raises some fundamental questions. What kind of a
European automotive industry do we want for the 21st century? And, once we
have answered that one, what do we expect of Brussels after 2010 ? Do we
want another face-lift? Or a real model change?

Read the SWOT analysis of European automobile industry to know more....

http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72701.html



* * * *

*EVENTS/WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES*


TOWARDS A GLOBAL APPROACH TO AUTOMOTIVE FUEL ECONOMY 15-16 May 2008



The FIA Foundation organized in cooperation with UNEP, the International
Transport Forum and the International Energy Agency a workshop to review the
current status of fuel economy regulations in the world and the desirability
and feasibility to develop a global initiative on fuel economy. Cornie
Huizenga, Executive Director, of the CAI-Asia Center participated in the
meeting.  One of the recommendations of the meeting relevant for Asia was to
assess the possibility to develop a pilot program on fuel economy with ASEAN
(Association of South East Asian Nations). For the presentations of the
workshop see:


http://www.fiafoundation.org/news/archive/related/Pages/FuelEconomySymposiumPresentations.aspx



U.S.-JAPAN CO-BENEFITS WORKSHOP

Institute of Global Environmental Strategies in association with Japanese
Ministry of the Environment (MoEJ) and the US Environmental Protection
Agency (US EPA) conducted a workshop in Bangkok, Thailand entitled "The
Co-benefits of Climate Actions in Asia." Cornie Huizenga, Executive Director
and Sophie Punte, Deputy Executive Director participated in the
deliberations.* *The main agenda of the meeting was to assess the
opportunities for and obstacles to enhancing the policy impacts of
co-benefits in Asia. To know more the "Co-Benefits" approach click  the
following link:

 http://www.iges.or.jp/en/cp/activity21.html



* * * *

*MARK YOUR CALENDARS*

ECOMM 2008 - The 11th Annual European Conference On Mobility
Management,Travel Demand Management - Tackling Climate Change, 4-6
June-2008, London
http://www.ecomm2008.eu/

Towards Carfree Cities VIII, Rethinking Mobility, Rediscovering
Proximity
16-20 June 2008, Portland, Oregon, USA,
http://www.carfreeportland.org/

World Cities Summit 2008,
Livable and Vibrant Cities,
23-25 June 2008, Singapore,
http://www.worldcities.com.sg/

Fourteenth International Conference on Urban Transport and the
Environment in the 21st Century, 1 - 3 September 2008, Malta,
http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2008/urban08/

PODCAR City Sustainable Transport Conference,
14-16 September 2008, Ithaca,  New York,
http://www.podcar.org/ithacaconference/

UITP 2nd Sustainable Development Conference
Making tomorrow today
22-24 October 2008, Milan, Italy
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72425.html

Better Air Quality (BAQ) Workshop 2008
12-14 November 2008 Bangkok, Thailand
Call for Abstracts ongoing; First Call for Pre-events
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-72312.html

See more SUT events
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/propertyvalue-27089.html

See CAI-Asia's events calendar
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/propertyvalue-13577.html



** * * CONTRIBUTE * * *
*

**
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** * * ABOUT SUMA * * **

*
*

The Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (SUMA) program of the Clean Air
Initiative for Asian Cities

( www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia), Asian Development Bank

( www.adb.org), EMBARQ-the World Resources Institute
Center  for Sustainable Transport ( http://embarq.wri.org ), GTZ
Sustainable Urban Transport Project ( www.sutp.org), Interface for  Cycling
Expertise ( www.cycling.nl), Institute for Transportation and  Development
Policy (www.itdp.org), and United Nations Center for  Regional Development (
www.uncrd.or.jp/est) is made possible through the generous support of the
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency ( www.sida.se).

SUMA works with Asian countries and cities to strengthen then formulation
and implementation of sustainable urban transportation policies,
specifically in

(i) Improving urban air quality by adopting AQM
planning in sustainable transport policies and promoting public
transportation,
(ii) Improving road safety by encouraging non-motorized
transport and public transport, and
(iii) Reducing transport's contribution to climate change
by adopting a co-benefits approach with urban air quality management.


With Regards
Sudhir Gota
Transport Specialist
CAI-Asia Center
Unit 3510, 35th Floor, Robinsons-Equitable Tower,
ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
Tel: +63-2-395-2843
Fax: +63-2-395-2846
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia
Skype : sudhirgota


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