Copenhagen battles intense smog

Copenhagen officials say they would have to enforce a 40 percent decrease in car and truck traffic to meet European Union clean air standards.

In fact, city officials are so overwhelmed by the pollution dilemma, they have given up trying to solve the problem,, the Copenhagen Post reported Thursday.

"We have investigated all the possibilities and are furthermore limited by the government's rejection of our proposal to establish environmental zones and implement road pricing. Now the government must take over; it also has a responsibility that Denmark maintains EU regulations," Copenhagen City Councilor Winnie Berndtson, who is responsible for environmental affairs, told the Berlingske Tidende daily newspaper.

Officials blame an increase in diesel-powered cars is mainly responsible for the pollution. Officials said the number of such cars in the city is now five times greater than 2000 numbers.

Copyright 2005 by United Press International