Review of “Bigger is not better: A Comparative Analysis of Cities and their Ari Pollution Impact” by Andrea Sarzunski: 2012
Andrea Sarzunski (Feb, 2012) on his article “Bigger is not better: A Comparative Analysis of Cities and their Air Pollution Impact” focus on the pressure cities have on the environment. He notes that the interaction of humans and the environment causes pollution of the air as humans engage in economic activities. In particular, the author focuses on the relationship between the size of the city and the pollution level of the city. From this argument, the author notes that the levels of pollution in the cities are closely related, though not exclusively, to the population densities of the city. It is imperative that the higher the population density, the more air pollution is in the city. Such a situation arises due to the unique relationship among the urbanization, industrialization, technology modernization, and population growth. The second main argument is how to solve the urban pollution challenge. The author opines that the economic modernization may not help in solving the problems associated with the rapid population growth. He suggests that policy makers ought to focus on reducing the emission intensity resulting from economic activities, more so, in the energy sector. Such a move shall greatly reduce urban air pollution.
- Analyses the spatial Patten of air pollution on a world-wide scale
- Uses emission data from the Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR)
- Use work from authoritative sources such as other authors on various issues such as pollution and population
- Use scientific hypotheses testing
There are various weaknesses and strengths on the arguments as related to the supporting ideas. The following are some of the weaknesses and strengths
- The world spatial pattern has various other underlying factors that influence urbanization other than population increase. Such factors are important and hence including them in the study is critical.
- The Database for Global Atmospheric Research EDGAR uses assumptions and, therefore, although some are right, the errors and assumptions may make the result of the regression erroneous.
- There is little literature review on the research. An elaborate literature review serves to contextualize the problem much better than the scanty one used.
- There are possible outside air pollution influences imported from the surrounding regions of the cities. Such factors lead to erroneous analysis.
- One of the strength is the use of the scientific method of regression analysis since it produces unbiased results.
- The use of other authoritative sources helps put the research in the context and as such, strengthen the argument.
- What can the policy makers make out of a possible relationship between urban pollution and urban pollution?
- Different sectors of the economy contribute differently to the aggregate urban air pollution. What are the sectors contributions?
A follow study on this one can be done on the following two main issues
- An analysis of the most rampant cause of urban air pollution in the studied cities with particular emphasis on human-environment interaction
- An evaluation of the technological aspects that can help in mitigation of urban air pollution in the most populous cities with an emphasis on industrialization
Reference
Andrea Sarzunski (2012). Bigger is not better: A Comparative Analysis of Cities and their Air Pollution Impact. SAGE
