Scientific findings are showing soot, produced by burning coal, diesel, wood and dung, to have a significant impact on human health and the environment. Soot causes approximately 400,000 deaths a year and contributes up to 60% of the current warming effect of carbon dioxide.
European car makers are favouring the shift to diesel as the EU urges manufacturers “to get under 130g/km CO2 emissions.” This shift may be a good way to combat climate change, but health concerns related to particulate pollution from diesel engines are on the rise.