Solution for Cutting Greenhouse Emissions in Mexico.
ZAKARIA: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions was a major goal of this week's Paris climate talks. It brings me to my question of the week. Which of the following cities is the most congested in the world? Los Angeles, Beijing, Istanbul or Mexico City? Stay tuned and we'll tell you the correct answer. This week's book of the week is "Who Speaks for Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think" by John Esposito and Dalia Mogahed. You hear a lot these days about Muslims and what they believe. Well, here are the facts provided by two experts on Islam who have combed through opinion polls, surveys and election results. In today's charged atmosphere, this book provides an essential voice of calm and reason. The correct answer to the "GPS" challenge question is C. According to Tom Tom's annual traffic index, Istanbul is the most congested city in the world followed by Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro. Los Angeles ranks tenth on that list. Mexico City officials have an unusual idea for one way to deal with that city's terrible congestion rate. The solution isn't to reduce the number of cars on the roads by increasing subways and buses. It's a loftier goal. The next time you are stuck in the traffic jam, imagine how you would feel if you could soar above all of the cars stopped below. Well, officials in Mexico City are proposing a system of elevated gondolas that would allow their citizens to do just that, "Escorts" has reported. Take a look at this animation of the proposed gondola system. As you can see from the model these gondolas fits two passengers. They can change direction on the track. In fact, commuters can save time by stopping only at their destination unlike a subway or bus. A ten mile gondola system could transport 200 million passengers a year, the government says.</s>DR. RENE DRUCKER, HEAD OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION IN MEXICO CITY: If it works, it can become an overall frequent way of transportation across the entire city and in many other cities in Mexico.</s>ZAKARIA: Mexico even developed this $2.4 million prototype to demonstrate how the gondolas would work. Installing such a system would be cheaper than building a subway, the government says, by millions of dollars and cheaper to run than the bus or subway. It certainly is an interesting plan if the funds can be raised. And one that would contribute to Mexico's goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Not to mention easing the frustrations of people who spent hundreds of extra hours in their cars every year. This year Mexico pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 22 percent by 2030. Now, for Mexico and other developing countries to actually hit the targets that they have outlined, it will take a lot more than a few admittedly nifty technologies like elevated gondolas. Thanks to all of you for being part of my program this week. I'll see you next week.