What we can learn from Europe's dirty air

A weekend warrior is a professional by weekday and an above average hobbyist by weekend.  My new found appreciation for the mechanical horse has me reconsidering my transportation habits.  From the Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago to the West Loop, also a neighborhood in Chicago, one must take a train, bus, drive, walk, or, as I am about to discover, bike.  I won't bore you with the analysis but it begets a larger dilemma most of us face when we need to travel, what should we do versus what do we want to do?

I raise this personal pivot point because the admission by Volkswagon that it knowingly deceived regulators to skirt air pollution standards brings to light a broader issue that Europe is currently addressing; the cleanliness of our air.  The biggest contributor to NO2 emission in the European Union comes from it's cars, diesel cars shoulder most of the blame (WSJ).  According to Medscape, "NO2 is a mucous membrane irritant commonly associated with other toxic products of combustion. Symptoms most commonly range from mild cough and mucous membrane irritation to severe exacerbations of underlying pulmonary diseases like COPD or asthma and, in extreme cases, death. Suspect methemoglobinemia in patients exposed to NO2 who exhibit cyanosis or dyspnea. The initial absence of significant symptoms does not exclude a subsequent development of serious disease. Common symptoms are as follows: New or worsening cough and/or wheezing (most common), Eye, nose or throat irritation, Light-headedness or headache, Dyspnea (shortness of breath), Chest tightness, Choking, Chest pain, Diaphoresis (sweating). In addition, the following signs and symptoms may appear acutely or persist for days to weeks, and may indicate severe or worsening disease: Severe shortness of breath, Turning blue in the lips, fingers, or toes, Rapid breathing, Rapid heart rate, Fever, More frequent use of inhalers"

Volkswagon's stock price took a 33% decrease in value the day after their admission of fault.  Who's to say what the future of the company is; perhaps this will be a distant memory.  Perhaps some of your remember when Jackinthebox was responsible for killing four children who had contracted ecoli.  Their perceived value took a hit for a time, but it wasn't until the power of marketing and time won over the general population and that tragedy was buried in our collective consciousness.

Do you trust automakers to address their responsibility to ensure their vehicles aren't putting their customers in danger?  Do you believe the government or a private company has a responsibility to oversee their actions (it should be noted that a private non public was partly responsible for outing Volkswagen)? Or do you believe that companies, including cars, will put their short term goal of increasing shareholder value about everything else?

Have a great day.