NEW FUELS, SAME PROBLEM
Fighting “Biofuel” With EPHA
The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) asked me to create 4 short story-driven documentary films that would highlight the impact and consequences of combustion engine use in heavy trucks. The goal of these films is to avert EU green deal plans to include so called “biofuels” to power long distance trucking in the fuel mix of 2050. Instead, we need to think about systemic change and combustion free solutions.
These films are accompanied by an expert commentary that I have created with Cale Lawlor (EPHA) to tie the narratives together for one unified message.
Planetary Health
Planetary Health represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of the intricate relationship between human health and the health of the planet.
This lens recognises that human actions are reshaping ecological dynamics, leading to climate change, the depletion of biodiversity, pollution, changes in biochemical processes, and the scarcity of resources. Listen to Gina's journey as a researcher in Brazil, where she was confronted with the stark contrast between the flourishing biodiversity of the Pantanal and the vast agricultural land of the Cerrado.
Highlighting the impact of the international bio-industry, Gina advocates for a paradigm shift, urging us to view the natural world not as a backdrop but as an intricate system that we are woven into. She stresses the significance of decisions made today, as they will resonate for generations to come.
A provisional agreement on cutting CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) has been reached and is pending for approval. EPHA advocates to move to a 100% sustainable fleet, with no allowances for biofuels or alternative fuels, which will continue to negatively impact planetary health.
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is the second most significant environmental risk that Europeans face. It causes not just annoyance, but also chronic disease and impacting the quality of the environmental and societies. Noise pollution in Europe is linked to premature death, including from cardiovascular disease.
Traffic noise is a major cause of noise pollution and harm in Europe, especially in cities and towns. Part of this is heavy-duty vehicles, which can dominate traffic noise, affecting people and community.
Hear Bridie’s story about the effect that traffic noise has on her personally, and her small Irish village, and what she thinks we need to do to reduce the burden of noise pollution in Europe for healthier places.
The EU is updating its legislation on how heavy-duty vehicles operate. To reduce the burden of noise pollution in Europe, we need sustainable heavy-duty vehicles that do not run on combustion. We need a 100% shift to a sustainable fleet.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is the leading environmental health risk in Europe, accounting for over 300,000 deaths annually. Air pollution can cause chronic diseases and impact the health of individuals in profound ways.
Different groups in society are vulnerable to the effects in different ways. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, and can develop long-term, life threatening diseases, such as asthma. The European Environmental Agency recently showed that around 1300 children die in Europe every year from air pollution.
Hear Kjeld’s story about suffering severe asthma, and how he came to be an advocate and champion of people suffering respiratory disease, and what he thinks we need to do to tackle air pollution.
For cohesive action on air pollution in Europe, the EU needs high ambition to regulate sectors that contribute to air pollution, such as heavy-duty vehicles. Alternative fuels are not a solution for the air pollution crisis.
Climate Change
Climate change is happening now, and people are suffering from the effects of changing weather. Severe weather is being made more common globally, including in Europe.
Severe weather in the forms of heatwaves, drought, storms and floods. Worldwide, we all stand to see the climate change around us and the weather become more severe. Billions of people are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In 2021, Germany saw massive storms made 9 times more likely because of climate change.
Sebastian Telzlaff saw these storms and floods first hand, as water rose around his house, destroying his home and livelihood. Sebastian’s story is a terrifying first-hand account of how climate change looks, and a strong call for us to use all our resources and ambitious to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
We need strong, ambitious policies to tackle climate change, including in the EU. All sectors need to rapidly decarbonise, and this includes the transport sector. Policymakers are revision the heavy-duty vehicle CO2 standards. EPHA is pushing for ambition, to move to a 100% sustainable fleet, with no allowances for biofuels or alternative fuels which will continue to impact the climate.
Expert Commentary
Cale Lawlor (EPHA) provides expert commentary on the consequences of biofuel production and combustion for the use as fuel in the heavy trucking industry.
This commentary provides context and ties the 4 narratives together for one unified message agains combustion engines and “biofuels”.