JOHN MERGES

In most major cities, mayors have taken the decision to close downtown areas to traffic. In
my opinion this is a very smart decision that will undoubtedly benefit the environment as
carbon dioxide emissions have gone through the roof due to the use of private vehicles.

Such decision can have numerous advantages for the environment and consequently, for
citizens of big cities.First and foremost, since the traffic will close, people will not be able to
use their cars.As a result, the air pollution will be reduced as it’s been shown in many
researches and reports that petrol is the main responsible for total carbon dioxide emissions
which are causing air pollution.

Added to this, such decision can improve people’s health. That is, people who already suffer
from respiratory problems will feel much better as it’s a known fact that air pollution can
cause or aggravate health issues related to the respiratory problems.

Finally, since people will not be able to use their vehicles they will be forced to use either
their bike or move around the city on foot. In this way people will become healthier as they
will become more active and their life will become less sedentary.

On the other hand, a decision to close downtown areas to traffic might have some
drawbacks that will disgruntle many people.

To begin with, the use of cars can accelerate the time people need to go to their work.That
is, if people are not able to move around the city quickly they might arrive to their work late
which could potentially cost them their job.

Additionally, for some people, driving a car is a freedom. That is they feel that if they are not
allowed to drive their car their rights will be infringed. In this way, lots of people will not be
pleased which is the opposite from what mayors pursue.

In conclusion, I am of the opinion that mayors are fairly fighting to close downtown traffic
areas it’s sure that it will alleviate the environmental problem and it will upgrade the life
quality of people.