Michelle Cheda Dr. Shribbs A.P.E.S.

Per 1 30 August 2011

United Nation of Irans Current Environmental Issues

Iran is currently struggling to tame and control the mad gasoline usage in their densely populated cities. Tehran, rated one of the most populated cities, has 80% of its polluted air caused by car transmissions alone; the other 20% by factories and industry emissions. Most cars use leaded gas and lack emission control equipment. This problem escalated to urgency when the rise in respiratory illness occurred. The World Bank estimates losses inflicted on Irans economy as a result of deaths caused by air pollution at $640 million (57% of GPD). Diseases resulting from air pollution are causing losses estimated at $260 million per year (23% of the GDP on Irans economy). A report by the United Nations Environment Program ranked Iran at 117th place among 133 countries in terms of environmental indexes. Cities Southwest of the capital, Tehran and Arak, are creating air pollution programs in efforts to fix this tragedy. In the Tragedy of the Commons, pollution excerpt, it is recalled that; The rational man finds that his share of the cost of the wastes he discharges into the commons is less than the cost of purifying his wastes before releasing them. Since this is true for everyone, we are locked into a system of "fouling our own nest," as we behave only as independent, rational, free-enterprisers. Our particular concept of private property, which deters us from exhausting the positive resources of the earth, favors pollution. The owner of a factory on the bank of a stream-whose property extends to the middle of the stream, often has difficulty seeing why it is not his natural right to muddy the waters flowing past his door. The law, always behind the times, requires elaborate stitching and fitting to adapt it to this newly perceived aspect of the commons.

FRQ: Using the two pieces of given information above, construct a thorough answer of how you would help Irans people breath clearer, cleaner, crisper air if you were running their government.
As the leader of Iran, I feel that it is the governments job to enforce vehicle inspections, and promote the use and production of electric bikes. I also plan to create a larger public transportation system. The money required for these projects will come from raising the prices of gasoline. By doing so, less people will be willing to drive and will be forced to use our new electric bikes and transport system. Another benefit of this plan is to create jobs for our densely populated country. Since the majority of our countrys pollution has been created by single parties, not big corporations, it is hard to enforce air refinement, as most believe their actions cannot fix the actions of other members of society as well. Since they havent been able to do it on their own, I must force them to do so and work as a team. Because teams are only as strong as their weakest length, by 2013, all car owners that do not meet the environmental requirements will be given a fine larger than the original cost to pass a vehicle inspection, thus forcing any rational driver to take public transportation or follow the rules. Repeated violators and those who choose to not pay their fine will be sentenced community service hours. Because air we breathe is shared by all, so must the responsibilities of air pollution.

Facts used in this 1 page wright up were mainly derived from the source: Wikkipedia.org