Air pollution is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide, with the climate crisis playing a key role. This is the alarming conclusion of a study by the Swiss company Indice de Qualité de l'Air (IQAir). The consequences for health are devastating: in the countries most affected, life expectancy could fall by up to six years.
The study identifies Asia as the continent with the worst values. 83 of the 100 most polluted cities are in India, where air pollution is ten times higher than the limits recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). In Germany, there are major regional differences, with western and central Germany having the highest concentrations of particulate matter.
What do these regions have in common? They are highly industrialised regions with a high density of factories, cars and people. The production of goods and services, transport and energy consumption lead to high levels of pollutant emissions into the atmosphere. The man-made climate crisis is accelerating this development by influencing weather patterns and thus the spread of pollutants.
It is obvious that solutions must be found urgently. One option would be to set up new low emission zones in which pollutant emissions are strictly controlled. This could be achieved through the use of electric vehicles, the promotion of public transport and the restriction of industrial emissions. However, it is questionable whether such measures are sufficient to significantly reduce air pollution.
The study also highlights a global disparity in air quality research. Many parts of Africa, South America and the Middle East lack air monitoring stations and therefore data. Improvements are urgently needed to understand the full extent of air pollution in these regions.
The results of the IQAir study are worrying and alarming - air pollution is and remains a serious problem!