Europe: long-term strategy needed for a cleaner environment

Environmental pollution is a politically important issue in Europe and other industrialised countries. However environmental policies which simply tax the refining and marketing of oil and its use in automobiles are not, it is argued, necessarily the best solution for the future, despite success in reducing some pollution levels in the past. The author argues for a critical reappraisal of environmental policies to ensure that pollution is actually reduced and that this should be achieved in a cost effective manner. Research is necessary to show how air quality and the environment can be improved, and measures taken should be cost-effective on a long-term basis. Regulations on cars and fuels must be uniform throughout the European Union and probably most importantly, both industry and consumers must accept that more of their revenues or incomes needs to be spent to protect the environment. (UK)