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Poland: Smoggy City

January 22, 2014

When it comes to air pollution, Krakow in southern Poland is one of the worst cities in Europe. The tens of thousands of coal-burning stoves used by its residents emit so much carbon dioxide that it's often hard to breathe.

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Some of the CO2 emissions can be attributed to cars, but coal is seen as being the main culprit. Many Krakowiaks who have to survive on just 200 euros a month heat their homes with coal smuggled out of a mine in nearby Silesia. Krakow's authorities have now banned citizens from using coal for heating, but no one knows how the ban is to be enforced.