Germany's high number of diesel-run vehicles make up a vast majority of local air pollution and around 20% of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions.
One way to measure air quality is through fine particulate matter called PM2.5. These tiny particles enter the air from many human and natural sources, such as dust and vehicle exhaust, and can make the air appear hazy when at high levels. Particles can travel vast distances, meaning air pollution caused in one place may transcend borders to impact people in another region altogether. The decline in clean air is a threat to human health, the environment, greater economic prosperity, and society.
One of the major issues with air quality in Germany is a large number of outdated diesel engines on the road today. It is these unregulated vehicles that create a large amount of dangerous air pollution in Germany today. Cities like Frankfurt have already taken action to ban old diesel engines from the city center, but the national government still wavers on its commitment to enforce the emission standards that it should. Please sign the petition below to show your support for stronger enforcement of emission standards and a countrywide ban on old diesel engines from city centers.