No Driving on Sundays? The International Energy Agency is calling for new lockdowns

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

I can’t even believe that I am writing this right now, and I am curious as to how Sunday churchgoers are going to feel after reading this.

Months after the destructive and damaging COVID-19 lockdowns, the International Energy Agency is calling for new lockdowns on the general public such as banning cars on Sunday and only allowing certain license registered vehicles on the road on certain days.

According to IEA estimates, the actions it suggests, should it be implemented, could help reduce oil consumption by 2.7 million barrels per day (bpd) within four months, which would be equivalent to more than half of Russia’s exports.

Let’s take a look at some of the measures proposed in the agency’s “10-Point Plan to Cut Oil Use,” which includes: reducing speed limits, working from home, cutting business air travel and imposing an SUV “tax.” They have suggested reducing highway speed limits by about six miles per hour; more working from home; street changes to encourage walking and cycling; car-free Sundays in cities and restrictions on other days; cutting transit fares; policies that encourage more carpooling; cutting business air travel; and more.

They are suggesting restricting private cars’ use of roads in large cities to those with even number-plates some weekdays and to those with odd-numbered plates on other weekdays. If you have an SUV or were thinking of buying one, there are special plans for you too. Not only will we begin to see the sales of SUV’s increase, if you currently own one they are thinking of implementing a SUV Tax.

Most of the proposed actions in the 10-Point Plan would require changes in the behaviour of consumers, which would be supported by government measures.

The new report also includes recommendations for decisions to be taken now by governments and citizens to transition from the short-term emergency actions included in the 10-Point Plan to sustained measures that would put countries’ oil demand into a structural decline consistent with a pathway towards net zero emissions by 2050.

The document points out that car-free Sundays are nothing new, in fact, similar measures were introduced in countries such as Switzerland, the Netherlands, and West Germany at the height of the 1973 oil crisis. Moreover, certain cities have adopted the practice more recently to improve public health, the IEA notes.

In addition to the drop in oil consumption, car-free Sundays’ positive side effects would include cleaner air, reduced noise pollution, and improved road safety.

When you get a chance, take a look at the article that I wrote a couple weeks back, “Don’t get too comfortable with your new normal; Climate change lockdowns might be on the way!” (https://torontocaribbean.com/dont-get-too-comfortable-with-your-new-normal-climate-lockdowns-might-be-on-the-way/). In this article, I share more information on this pending climate lockdown and I tell people to not get too comfortable with the new normal. Who knew that weeks later, I would be here delivering this news to you.

It may seem like it is getting better, but believe me when I say there is more to come.