07 August 2008

Summertime in Menton - Pollution


See that fug over the Old Town? It's particularly evident in the smaller photograph - (click to enlarge) - where you see an oppressive haze over Monaco in the distance. This is pollution caused by too many cars. On the day I took this photograph, the speed limit on the autoroutes had been restricted in an effort to reduce emissions from cars.

Since then, the sky is clearer - and I presume those restrictions have been lifted as I've not read more in our local rag, Nice-Matin. So don't feel too sorry for those of us who live here.

The photographs were taken from the Italian border.

17 comments:

  1. Wow. That sure is prettier than Los Angeles on a smoggy day!

    Sad that this is such a worldwide problem. I hate to imagine what we are doing to our lungs.

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  2. You have a "local rag?" I can't imagine your town with anything but an impressive 'newspaper.'

    I am also surprised that you have smog or as you say, 'fug.' I just can't imagine there are that many automobiles in your area. When I think of smog and crud and pollution I think of four, five and six lane highways filled with automobiles and all creeping along at one or two miles an hour. Like Los Angeles on a good day.

    Does it ever snow there?

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  3. Abraham, well right, we don't have wide motorways, that's for sure, but when the weather conditions are right (or rather wrong) all the pollution is held under a cover of smog. Right. In summer tho, we have so many visitors that the roads are really more crowded than usual.

    My term for the local paper. Perhaps it's more than a local rag but The Times, it ain't!

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  4. I forgot your last question - yes it does snow. In the 18 years I've been here I've seen snow - around Gorbio - a few times but it's never actually settled. I've never seen snow in Menton BUT there are photograhs of it settled on the ground in Menton - around the orange trees - before my time tho.

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  5. cela me rappelle des photos de Paris, où il y avait tellement de pollution que cela donnait une lumière spéciale à la photo. c'était beau, mais inquiétant.

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  6. Who knew smog could make a place look so lovely. It really gives this photograph the look of a beautiful watercolor painting. IT is stunning. Lemonade out of lemons I suppose.

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  7. I agree with virginia. It looks like a watercolour painting. Very nice.

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  8. As Laurie says it seems to be a problem worldwide...even in Menton, that idyllic burg. Who'd a thunk it? Nevertheless, I still wish I were there. Merci for pointing out the fog prob.

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  9. Pogo was right..."We have met the enemy, and he is us!"

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  10. Local rag, such and English term for any local newpaper. No wonder it doesn't translate. Restrictions on cars, that is a surprise. We are basking under rain, rain and yet more rain.

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  11. It is still a lovely place to look at....smog and all!!!

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  12. I read the folks in Houston which has a severe smog problem, now think it has something to do with the way the sea spray react with the chemicals in the air to form ozone and other smog forming chemicals.

    Anybody know how to move an ocean out of the way?

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  13. Smog is a huge problem where there are many vehicles powered by gasoline. Hopefully with the new hybrids this too will become a thing of the past.

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  14. Smog or not, it is truly the most beautiful place Jilly.

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  15. Despite the haze, the view is awesome. I love the pastel colored hues and step-like buildings creeping up the cliff.

    Oh Jilly, you live in such a beautiful part of the world. I want to come visit.

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  16. Pollution?? In Menton???? WHAT?!!! Say it isn't so Jilly. :-(

    I agree with Ming. Pollution or not, the view is still splendid. *sigh*

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