Paris pollution

In the past couple of weeks, the temperature in Paris has yoyo-ed a lot, resulting in many people being ill. In addition, the pollution in Paris as measured by Airparif, the association that watches over pollution in the air, has reached dangerous levels. This has led to high level meetings between the Minister of Ecology (at the time of writing, it's Segolene Royal) and the mayor of Paris (Anne Hidalgo) and other actors, to decide what to do. This has resulted in alternate licence plates (depending on whether your licence plate ends in an odd or even numbers) allowed in Paris today and the next couple of days (if maintained, the pollution level seems to be decreasing to less dangerous level apparently). If your licence plate ends in an odd number today (Monday 23 march), you're probably out of luck. Exceptions are given to electric cars and cars having at least 3 people in it regardless whether it has a licence plate ending in an odd or even number. This has led people to carpooling of course, but also good business for rental companies (at least for the cars with plates allowed that day). Many also brave the rule and will probably be fined if stopped. Public transport has also been free to all since yesterday and will continue (perhaps) for a few days. Of course, most Parisians have monthly or yearly transport card (Pass Navigo) meaning the this measure probably only affects tourists or those who usually drive to work. The velib (bike rental system in Paris, see another entry in this blog) also is free All these measures should apparently lower the pollution level by 6 percent, which does not sound a lot to me. But still I am impressed (despite criticisms saying that the authority did not react early enough) that there are even measures to be put in place in this kind of situation...many Asian cities could use the same !