I Love Chile Weekly Magazine | Page 8

NATIONAL NEWS SANTIAGO DE CHILE: FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY IN 16 YEARS By ANNEMARIE LENNIKE THE METROPOLITAN REGION’S AUTHORITIES DECREED THE FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY IN THE LAST 16 YEARS. THE GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE BAD AIR QUALITY AND TO REDUCE THE SMOG LEVEL IN THE AREA. SANTIAGO — Monday was the first environmental emergency in the Metropolitan Region since 1999. The decision came after three days in a row of environmental pre-emergency because of the ventilation conditions. As reported by La Tercera, Sunday at 6 p.m. the environmental emergency was issued at the pollution measurement station of Cerro Navia. The same happened at the Pudahuel station at 9 p.m. According to Emol, the state of environmental emergency significantly increases vehicle restriction. Catalytic cars with plaques finishing in 1, 2, 3 and 4 can’t circulate. Vehicles without the green stamp (non-catalytic) with plaques ending in 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, 1 and 2 are also restricted. This applies between 7:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. in the province of Santiago and in the disricts of Puento Alto and San Bernardo. Furthermore, the regional administration confirmed the application of “environmental axes” (one of this year’s 8 innovations by the environmental monitoring system) extends beyond previously announced. These sections – already applied during the first three preemergencies of the year – are San Diego, San Pablo, Independencia and Los Leones. These roads become exclusive public transportroutes between 7:30 and 10:00 a.m. and then from 5 to 9 p.m. Emol reported that the emergency also involves the shutdown of pollution industrial sources 2773. At the same time, the use of wood for heating and cooking is forbidden. Metropolitan region Intendant Claudio Orrego stated that the use of chimneys is “a crime.” Furthermore he also stated that “the ventilation conditions have been so bad that we have not managed to clear what was accumulated in previous days,” reported Emol.