PEOPLE are being urged to leave the car at home more often, to help cut down air pollution. They should buy cars with lower emissions, car-share where possible and walk more often, an environmental expert said last night.
Family members and friends should welcome the concept of using shared vehicles, said Public Commission for the Protection of Environment, Wildlife and Marine Resources' senior environmental specialist Suzan Al Ajjawi.
"By doing so, they are supporting the government's drive to cut down air pollution," she noted.
"Emission from vehicles contributes to more than 50 per cent of air pollution in Bahrain."
Ms Al Ajjawi was speaking at an environmental awareness seminar at the St Mary's Orthodox Church in Salmaniya.
The programme was held as part of the church's year-long golden jubilee celebrations.
United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) associate programme officer Etaf Chehade spoke on people's role in protecting the environment, followed by an audio-visual presentation.
Ms Al Ajjawi said many people in Bahrain depended on cars to go even to the nearby cold stores.
"This practice should be stopped. People should realise that walking is good for their health," she noted.
"By avoiding cars to cover small distances, they also contribute to the protection of our environment.
"We also urge people to buy vehicles which consume less fuel."
Ms Al Ajjawi also appealed to people to reduce consumption of electricity during peak hours.
"Power stations emit a lot of pollution and increased consumption of electricity will result in more emissions," she added.
"People should also go for less energy-consuming washing machines and water heaters.
"Solar water heaters will soon be available in the market.
"Water consumption per person is very high in Bahrain, and this is another area people can contribute."
Ms Al Ajjawi said the Public Commission, as a regulatory body, was making every effort to enhance the quality of environment in Bahrain.
"We constantly monitor industries to reduce pollution from their factories," she noted.
"Reclamation work is also being monitored to minimise its impact on marine life."
The seminar was held to focus attention on Bahrain and global environment and stimulate attention and action, said church secretary Abraham Samuel.
"The idea was to promote an understanding among communities to change attitudes towards environmental issues and advocate partnership which will ensure that all nations and people enjoy a safer and more prosperous future, " he noted.
The church's year-long golden jubilee celebrations were launched by Deputy Premier Jawad Al Arrayed at the Indian School last month.
soman@gdn.com.bh
