Whether it is air pollution, noise pollution or extreme temperatures, the levels of exposure and the impact of these scourges on human health vary according to the social vulnerability of exposed populations, according to a report by the European Environment Agency published on Monday 4 February.
This report shows that the distribution of these environmental threats and their impacts on human health reflect economic and social factors. Therefore, it calls for an alignment of social and environmental policies and improved local action to successfully address environmental justice issues, especially in Eastern and Southern Europe.
Welcoming this report as a "wake-up call", European Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella said, “The patterns of vulnerability and exposure are set to continue - unless we take action that is more decisive. There are implications for many sectors – for how we produce our energy, our food, the way we design our cities and, of course, also mobility ".
According to the EEA, regions in Eastern and Southern Europe where income and education levels are below the European average and higher unemployment rates are more exposed to fine particulate matter (PM) and ground-level ozone. In richer regions, especially large cities, which have, on average, higher levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), it is the poorest communities that are exposed to higher local levels of NO2.
Noise levels are higher in cities with poorer populations.
The southern and south-eastern regions of Europe are more exposed to high temperatures. Many regions in Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain have lower than average incomes and educational levels, higher unemployment rates and larger older populations - factors that can reduce people's ability to react to and avoid heat.
In some parts of Europe, the difficulty many citizens have in heating their homes properly, due to high energy prices and poor insulation, leads to illness and death due to exposure to low temperatures. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)