São Paulo may be an exciting metropolitan area like New York City. But due to a mostly neglected public transportation system, cars jam up the roads and the air. Traffic is very bad and the air quality is certainly questionable even in the greener neighborhoods.
Between 3,000-4,000 people die annually due to air pollution in the city of São Paulo. The city is jammed with millions of cars and thousands are being added to the roads every year as more and more people move to the city. The city government must work together with other entities and residents to curb this pollution and prevent future deaths.
As the city expands in population, more and more people will need to get around the city in safe and healthy ways. This demands new mode of transporation that are efficient and will not contribute to overall air pollution.
There are a few signs that the government is trying to address this problem. There is a car rotation law. Depending on the last number of your license plate, you are not allowed to drive during rush hours on weekdays. Unfortunately, this doesn't do anything to address congestion on weekends. Some major avenues have air quality indicators.
