Very depressing news for Belgians

I haven't felt 100% since arriving in Europe. At first I attributed it to a need to recover a stressful year with an exceptionally nasty British boss but beyond sleeping less, I've never really regained my New Zealand health.

I wonder if this has anything to do with it ...

A new report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says that Belgium has made great efforts to reduce concentrations of pollutants in the air. However, despite efforts by the authorities to improve air and water quality, increases in freight traffic on the roads and the intensive use of pesticides in agriculture, have meant that the quality of the air we breathe has deteriorated, since the last OECD report eight years ago.

The OECD made a total of 44 recommendations to improve air and water quality in Belgium. Greater efforts also need to be made by the Belgian government to help reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses.

Summer ozone peaks "unacceptable".
The OECD report also points to the annual summer peaks in ozone concentrations as being a major cause for concern. The River Zenne, which flows through Brussels, is one of the most polluted rivers in Belgium. Furthermore, Belgium's water has the highest concentrations of nitrates and pesticides in the industrialised world.

Greater efforts need to be made to reduce energy consumption, as buying up other countries' carbon emission quotas isn't enough, if progress is to be made on air quality.

The OECD report stresses the importance of fiscal measures, such as higher taxes on diesel and pesticides and grants for people who use energy sparingly.

The report also calls for greater cooperation and consultation between Belgium's three regions.

Joyce also pointed me in the direction of a rather interesting xPATS.com news source for Belgium.

Thanks Joyce.