A Global Problem
Every year, millions of people die as a result of health problems caused by air pollution. According to a research published in the BMJ in November, air pollution caused by fossil fuels kills 5.1 million people worldwide each year. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization estimates that ambient and home air pollution kills 6.7 million people each year.
Only ten countries and territories reported “healthy” air quality. This included:
- Finland.
- Estonia.
- Puerto Rico.
- Australia.
- New Zealand.
- Bermuda.
- Grenada.
- Iceland.
- Mauritius.
- French Polynesia.
In Addition, the human also causes climate crisis, which are driven by the burning of fossil fuels. This factors play a “pivotal” role in influencing air pollution levels. This climate crisis are affecting weather patterns, including changes in wind and rainfall that affect pollution dispersion. Climate change will exacerbate pollution by increasing the severity and frequency of excessive heat.
IQAir Global CEO Frank Hammes said in a statement:
We see that in every part of our lives that air pollution has an impact. And it typically, in some of the most polluted countries, is likely shaving off anywhere between three to six years of people’s lives. And then before that will lead to many years of suffering that are entirely preventable if there’s better air quality.
Countries with the Worst Air Quality
Pakistan remained one of the world’s three smoggiest countries in 2023, as Bangladesh and India displaced Chad and Iran, with particulate matter levels 15 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommendation. Bangladesh had the fifth-worst air quality in 2022, followed by India in eighth place.
Furthermore, the WHO advises a maximum of 5 micrograms of PM2.5 (small airborne particles that damage the lungs). However, by 2023, Bangladesh had 79.9 micrograms per cubic meter, whereas Pakistan had 73.7 micrograms. Making the air quality highly hazardous.
Furthermore, Christi Chester Schroeder, air quality scientific manager at IQAir, a Swiss air-monitoring organization, stated that air pollution is caused by climate conditions and geography (in South Asia). The high concentration of PM2.5 is caused by pollution that has nowhere to go, causing it to skyrocket.
Chester also added in a statement:
On top of that are factors such as agricultural practices, industry and population density. Unfortunately, it really does look like it will get worse before it gets better.
Regional Rankings
For the first time, Canada outperformed the United States in regional pollution rankings. This is due to the fact that North America was badly affected by wildfires that raged in Canada from May to October last year. In May, Alberta’s monthly average air pollution was nine times higher than the same month in 2022.
The wildfires also impacted US cities such as Minneapolis and Detroit, where annual pollution levels increased by 30% to 50% over the previous year. Columbus, Ohio, was the most polluted large city in the United States in 2023 for the second consecutive year. However, in a positive note big cities such as Portland, Seattle, and Los Angeles saw significant reductions in yearly average pollution levels.
In Asia, however, pollution levels have recovered across the area. On the other hand, China reversed a five-year trend of declining levels of pollution. Chinese cities used to lead global rankings of the world’s worst air quality, but a slew of clean air rules implemented over the last decade have improved matters significantly.
Indonesia was the most polluted country in the area, with a 20% increase from 2022. Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand all had cities that exceeded WHO PM2.5 standards by more than tenfold. Furthermore, Thai officials forced government employees to work from home last month due to high levels of pollution in the capital, Bangkok, and its surroundings. Chiang Mai, a popular tourist destination, was also named the world’s most polluted city on Friday, thanks to poisonous fog caused by seasonal agricultural burning in the north.
Help the Environment
When feasible, choose healthier choices for the environment. For example, instead of driving, walk or ride a bike to fully avoid carbon emissions. On the other hand, when driving, strive to avoid needless acceleration. This is because accelerating reduces mileage by up to 33%, wastes fuel and money, and raises your carbon footprint.
Also, try to reduce your air travel as much as possible. Instead utilize apps like Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, and Facetime to connect. This is because air travel can increase your carbon footprint, further damaging the environment. Overall, try to care for the environment whenever possible and always aim for healthier alternatives that do increased pollution.
Written By Nohemi Sanchez
Sources:
REUTERS: Which countries had the worst air quality in 2023
The New York Times: One Thing Most Countries Have in Common: Unsafe Air
CNN World: The World’s 100 worst polluted cities are in Asia – and 83 of them are in just one country
COTAP.org: 25+ ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Featured Image by Jimmy Thomas via Wikimedia Commons Courtesy of GPA Photo Archive Flicker Page – Creative Common License
Inset Image Courtesy of 君勇 林 Flickr Page – Creative Common License
