'Minimum use of cars needed to fight climate change'

A combination of an effective public transport system and minimum use of cars is the cure for climate change in cities like Mumbai and Kolkata, according to a noted British scientist.

A combination of an effective public transport system and minimum use of cars is the cure for climate change in cities like Mumbai and Kolkata, according to a noted British scientist.

"We should strive for minimum use of cars and give more emphasis on building an effective public transport," said David Banister, Professor of Transport Studies in Oxford University while delivering a lecture on transportation systems and climate change in New Delhi on Monday night.

About 40 per cent of the world's cities are located on sea shores and these cities, such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Colombo or Bangkok, are under threat due to global warming, he said.

"Fifteen of the 20 mega cities lie on the coast. Asian mega cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Karachi and Bangkok are under risk of flooding if the temperature increases by another two degrees," Banister said.

In this situation, "Priority should be given to high quality public transport, cycling and walking. The role of the car in the city may be limited to ultra clean electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles powered by renewable energy," the scientist said.