Air Quality in the México Megacity: An Integrated Assessment"

On March 19, 2002, in an event at El Colegio Nacional in Mexico City's historic downtown center, Drs. Mario and Luisa Molina presented the book, Air Quality in the México Megacity: An Integrated Assessment, published by Kluwer Academic.

Dr. Pablo Rudomin, noted Mexican scientist and a member of El Colegio Nacional, introduced the book, followed by Dr. Octavio Novaro, also a member of El Colegio Nacional, and Dr. Exequiel Ezcurra, President of the National Institute of Ecology, who presented a careful review. Members of the Metropolitan Environmental Commission – Lic. Martha Hilda Gonzales, Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum, Biol. Raul Arriaga, and Dr. Carlos Santos Burgoa – also spoke.

In his comments, Dr. Ezcurra said, "to evoke a landscape of Mexico with clean air and a view of its famous volcanoes in the background should be an incentive for the city to improve its air quality. The scientific integration developed by Mario and Luisa Molina should instigate an effort enabling a new generation of researchers to unravel the pending question surrounding the air pollution issue and for policy makers to formulate clear decisions."

Panel: (from left) Exequiel Ezcurra, Luisa Molina, Pablo Rudomin, Mario Molina, and Octovio Novaro. (Photo provided by the Coordinación General de Comunicación Social, Semarnat.)

Dr. Novaro highlighted some of the book's recommendations, which include improving the efficiency of public transport, unifying inspection and maintenance programs, controlling mobile emissions sources, particularly diesel emissions from heavy-duty trucks, strengthening the Metropolitan Environmental Commission and the Metropolitan Commission for Transport and Roadways, supporting environmental education and capacity building activities, improving understanding of atmospheric science and health impacts, and reactivating the Environmental Trust Fund to finance environmental projects.

These recommendations are the result of the multidisciplinary findings of over 50 researchers coordinated through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Integrated Program on Urban, Regional and Global Air Pollution, initiated and directed by Drs. Mario and Luisa Molina. "Perhaps more importantly," wrote columnist Talli Nauman for The News, "they come with an overarching message: Air quality can be improved simply based on science and systematic evaluation of options, but only if public officials make strong commitments."

Contributors to the book include Drs. Claudia Sheinbaum and Carlos Santos-Burgoa, Mexico's Secretary of the Environment of the DF and General Director of Environmental Health, respectively. Both were participants of the Project while working in the private sector and before joining the government agencies.

The event, organized by Sergio Sanchez and Laura Chapa and the staff of El Colegio Nacional, was attended by several hundred academics, government officials, and members of the general public eager to hear what Mexican and American scientists had to say about one of Mexico City's greatest problems. Since its publication, the book has been quickly recognized as an important tool in the effort to restore to Mexico City the clear skies for which it was once famous.

Contributed by J. Warman, with material from The Reforma (3/20/2002 and 3/21/2002).