Air Pollution Reaches Alarming Levels in 2021, Global Report Reveals
Major air pollution levels surged to unhealthy standards in 2021, with virtually every country and 97% of cities surpassing the World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines, as highlighted in a recent report by IQAir. The findings raise urgent concerns regarding public health and environmental policies worldwide.
Why It Matters
The report serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing air quality crisis, which claims millions of lives annually. With expanding populations and industrial activity, air pollution has far-reaching health implications, necessitating immediate actions from governments to formulate stricter regulations and explore alternative policies.
Key Developments
- Global Findings: Less than 4% of cities analyzed met WHO air quality standards; only three territories—New Caledonia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands—were compliant.
- Worst Offenders: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh were identified as major contributors, with pollution levels exceeding WHO guidelines by at least tenfold.
- Best Air Quality: Scandinavian countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the UK demonstrated better air quality, falling just 1 to 2 times above WHO standards.
- US Data: In the United States, air pollution exceeded WHO standards by 2 to 3 times in 2021, marking a significant increase compared to previous years.
- Industry Impacts: The report emphasizes the challenges posed by fossil fuel dependency and climate change-driven wildfires, especially in regions like California and Oregon.
Full Report
Major Findings
IQAir’s comprehensive analysis covered over 6,475 cities across 117 countries, regions, and territories. According to CEO Glory Dolphin Hammes, this report highlights an urgent need for stringent air quality regulations globally. Fine particulate matter, primarily stemming from fossil fuel combustion, dust storms, and wildfires, poses severe health risks, including respiratory illnesses and heart disease. In 2016, WHO attributed approximately 4.2 million premature deaths to fine particulate matter; adherence to the new 2021 guidelines could have potentially reduced pollution-related fatalities by nearly 3.3 million that year.
United States Context
In the U.S., cities like Los Angeles remained at the top of the pollution list, even with slight decreases in pollution levels. Increased pollution was noted in metropolitan areas such as Atlanta and Minneapolis. Researchers attributed this spike to reliance on fossil fuels, intensified wildfire activity, and inconsistent enforcement of air quality laws.
Climate-fueled wildfires, including notable incidents in California and Oregon, significantly diminished air quality. Hammes underscored the dependence on fossil fuels for transportation as a crucial barrier to achieving cleaner air, stating, “We’re still not doing it, and this is having a devastating impact on the air pollution that we’re seeing in major cities.”
Improvements in Other Regions
Notably, China showed improvements in air quality in 2021, with many cities reporting lower pollution levels due to government policies aimed at reducing industrial emissions. Conversely, the Amazon Rainforest emitted more carbon dioxide than it absorbed, exacerbating the climate crisis.
Data Gaps Identified
The report also highlighted disparities in air quality data collection, revealing that many developing countries lack sufficient monitoring stations. Countries like Chad showed alarming pollution levels upon inclusion in the report for the first time.
Context & Previous Events
The 2021 report represents the first significant global air quality assessment in line with updated WHO guidelines established in September 2021, which reduced acceptable fine particulate matter concentrations from 10 to 5 micrograms per cubic meter. The ongoing analysis parallels climate scientists’ warnings regarding the pressing need to combat global warming through improved fossil fuel policies and alternative energy solutions, emphasizing the dual benefit of enhancing public health and mitigating climate change.
