Why We Need to Invest in Air Quality

Earlier this summer, the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago released its latest report. This detailed the state of air pollution and its impacts on life expectancy across the world in 2020. The results were sobering.

Despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic slowdowns, in which many places recorded brief periods of cleaner air, global levels of particulate pollution (PM2.5) – the most harmful type of pollution for human health – in 2020 remained largely the same as the previous year. According to this latest AQLI data, we are losing more than two years off of the average human life expectancy across the world due to particulate pollution. This loss to the length of human life is more than the loss due to road injuries, HIV/AIDS, malaria and war combined.

Meanwhile, our investment in tackling air pollution lags far behind the scale of the problem. According to a report by the Clean Air Fund, for example, globally philanthropies invest just $40 million annually. This is in sharp contrast to HIV/AIDS which, after successful efforts instituted over decades, now has a smaller impact on global life expectancy, but still 16 times greater financial support than air pollution. In terms of official international development assistance from governments and international organizations, the chasm is even greater; issues such as HIV/AIDs receive 225 times more funding support than outdoor air pollution ($6.5 billion versus $28.9 million)…

Continue reading at World Economic Forum…

Areas of Focus: Environment, Air Pollution, AQLI, , Air Pollution

Themes & Topics

Centers & Initiatives

Why We Need to Invest in Air Quality

Christa Hasenkopf on Air Quality Data Gaps

Air Pollution’s Threat to Health and the Tools to Combat It Remain Unequally Distributed Worldwide

Ninety of the top 100 most polluted districts in the world are all in India

As Europe Tightens its Pollution Standard, Most Eastern European Countries Won’t be Complying, Cutting Their Lives Shorter than their Western Neighbors

The Tools to Confront Rising Pollution in Central and West Africa are Missing

While Particulate Pollution is the Greatest External Risk to Human Health Globally, Funding to Confront it Remains Largely Unbalanced

Southeast Asian Cities are Pollution Hotspots

China’s air quality policies have swiftly reduced pollution, improved life expectancy

Consistent Wildfire Smoke’s Heavy Toll: California is Home to 20 of the Top 30 Most Polluted Counties

Air Pollution is as Much of a Threat as Communicable Diseases in West Africa

The Global Decline in Pollution in Recent Years is Due Entirely to China

Air Pollution’s Threat to Health and the Tools to Combat It Remain Unequal

U.S. Fishing Policy Increases Fishing Sustainability and Long-Term Revenue

U.S. Fishing Policy Does Not Hold Back Fishers from Making Their Catch

Regulating Biological Resources: Lessons from Marine Fisheries in the United States

Disclosure of Hydraulic Fracturing Activities Leads to Reduced Pollution

International spillover effects of air pollution: Evidence from mortality and health data

How Human and Ecosystem Health are Intertwined

Using Smart Meters to Enforce Water Restrictions Reduces Water Use, But Also Increases Community Complaints

Man vs. Machine: Technological Promise and Political Limits of Automated Regulation Enforcement

Themes & Topics

Centers & Initiatives

Themes & Topics

Centers & Initiatives

Trending

Christa Hasenkopf on Air Quality Data Gaps

Air Pollution’s Threat to Health and the Tools to Combat It Remain Unequally Distributed Worldwide

Ninety of the top 100 most polluted districts in the world are all in India

As Europe Tightens its Pollution Standard, Most Eastern European Countries Won’t be Complying, Cutting Their Lives Shorter than their Western Neighbors

The Tools to Confront Rising Pollution in Central and West Africa are Missing

While Particulate Pollution is the Greatest External Risk to Human Health Globally, Funding to Confront it Remains Largely Unbalanced

Southeast Asian Cities are Pollution Hotspots

China’s air quality policies have swiftly reduced pollution, improved life expectancy

Consistent Wildfire Smoke’s Heavy Toll: California is Home to 20 of the Top 30 Most Polluted Counties

Air Pollution is as Much of a Threat as Communicable Diseases in West Africa

The Global Decline in Pollution in Recent Years is Due Entirely to China

Air Pollution’s Threat to Health and the Tools to Combat It Remain Unequal

U.S. Fishing Policy Increases Fishing Sustainability and Long-Term Revenue

U.S. Fishing Policy Does Not Hold Back Fishers from Making Their Catch

Regulating Biological Resources: Lessons from Marine Fisheries in the United States

Disclosure of Hydraulic Fracturing Activities Leads to Reduced Pollution

International spillover effects of air pollution: Evidence from mortality and health data

How Human and Ecosystem Health are Intertwined

Using Smart Meters to Enforce Water Restrictions Reduces Water Use, But Also Increases Community Complaints

Man vs. Machine: Technological Promise and Political Limits of Automated Regulation Enforcement

Themes & Topics

Centers & Initiatives

Trending

UChicago Community (If applicable)…

Interested In…