Nearly 7 million premature deaths each year are attributed to air pollution, a significant threat to human health. A report by IQAir, a Swiss research organization that produces air purifiers, highlights that only seven countries in the world met the World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines in 2023 while more than 90 percent of countries and territories exceeded them. The report analyzed data from 134 countries, regions, and territories worldwide.
Central and South Asia were found to be home to the top ten most polluted cities globally. In North America, wildfires fueled by climate change have led to increased air pollution in cities like Minneapolis, Detroit, and Milwaukee. Glory Dolphin Hammes, North American CEO for IQAir emphasized the severity of the situation despite some nations achieving better control over their air pollution. Factors such as industrial emissions, vehicle traffic, agricultural practices, and burning fossil fuels contribute to poor air quality. Additionally, inadequate regulations and enforcement, lack of public awareness, and insufficient funding for air quality initiatives are also significant obstacles to improving air pollution levels.
To address this global crisis effectively, governments must prioritize investing in measures that reduce air pollution. This includes implementing stricter regulations on emissions, promoting renewable energy sources such as solar power or wind turbines instead of fossil fuels burning plants which are major contributors of greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Improving public transportation systems is another way forward since it reduces the number of cars on the road contributing to smoggy skies and cleaner city centers can lead people to spend more time outside where they breathe fresh air thus reducing respiratory problems caused by long-term exposure to polluted environments. Raising awareness about the health impacts of air pollution is crucial too since many people do not understand how much harm they expose themselves daily through their everyday activities like driving or smoking cigarettes near buildings with poor ventilation systems .
In conclusion, it is essential for everyone involved – governments
