Cleaner air quickly brings big health benefits

Reductions in air pollution yield fast and dramatic improvements in health, as well as decreases in all-cause morbidity according to the research paper “Health Benefits of Air Pollution Reduction”, and the corresponding report “Clean Air Now”. The research also shows that reducing air pollution is cost-effective.

The paper shows that health benefits were seen from both national and locally-based interventions, tackling ambient or indoor air pollution, and in countries where GDP is high or low, without reducing economic growth.

“We knew there were benefits from pollution control, but the magnitude and relatively short time duration to accomplish them were impressive. It’s critical that governments adopt and enforce WHO guidelines for air pollution immediately,” said lead author of the report Dr Dean Schraufnagel.

The scientific article: https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1513/AnnalsATS.201907-538CME

The report: https://ncdalliance.org/resources/clean-air-now

In this issue

Air pollution from fossil fuels costs USD 8 billion a day

Emissions from the burning of coal, oil and gas cause 4.5 million premature deaths a year globally, resulting in costs of health care and lives lost equivalent to 3.3 per cent of global GDP.

Editorial: Zero-pollution vision for air quality

A recent Eurobarometer survey asked over 27,000 people from across the EU several questions about air quality.

Cement could be greener, but will it?

Cement production is responsible for some 6–7 per cent of global CO₂ emissions, and is still growing. There are many technical options to cut emissions, but few incentives. The EU cement industry pays zero for its emissions, and does little to improve its act.

Climate tipping points in the boreal forest region

In the southern part of the boreal forest zone, climate change may cause closed forest to be replaced by open woodland or scrubland

Transition to 100 percent renewable energy is cost efficient

Stanford researchers find that a completely renewable energy system will pay for itself in 7 years, while also solving major health and climate threats.

LNG could worsen shipping’s climate impact

Ships fuelled by LNG do not deliver the emissions reductions required by the IMO’s greenhouse gas strategy, says new study.

The Andes Meltdown

The frozen areas covering the peaks and valleys of the Andes are melting at alarming rates, providing some of the most visible evidence that climate change is already here and putting communities and natural ecosystems at risk.

Dutch health gains from reduced air pollution

Air pollution control policies implemented in Europe since 1980 have resulted in better air quality that has increased Dutch average life expectancy by six years.

Renewable energy – technology choices matter for air quality

Growth in EU renewable energy has reduced GHG emissions, and in most cases air pollutant emissions as well. But increased burning of biomass has actually increased emissions of health-damaging PM emissions.

Air quality rules fit for purpose

The EU air quality limit values are enforceable and have been instrumental in driving a downward trend in air pollution exceedances and exposure.

Main menu

Cleaner air quickly brings big health benefits

In this issue

Air pollution from fossil fuels costs USD 8 billion a day

Editorial: Zero-pollution vision for air quality

Cement could be greener, but will it?

Climate tipping points in the boreal forest region

Transition to 100 percent renewable energy is cost efficient

LNG could worsen shipping’s climate impact

The Andes Meltdown

Dutch health gains from reduced air pollution

Renewable energy – technology choices matter for air quality

Air quality rules fit for purpose

In Breif

Smooth transition to global ship sulphur regulation

Scrubbers not allowed in California

More bans on open-loop scrubbers

Iceland creates 0.1% SECA

Greek lignite plant cancelled in major NGO court win

Clean air action linked to EU Green Deal

South Korea shuts a quarter of its coal plants over winter

South Korea opts for ship speed reduction and ECA

Threat to shut 14 coal-fired power plants in India

Beyond coal campaign retires 300th US coal plant

World’s largest real-time air quality databank

71% want tougher EU laws on air pollution

Publications

Food for Thought

Northern forests, climate change and the UNFCCC

EU climate targets aligned with the Paris agreement’s 1.5°C objective

Baltic Sea Offshore Wind Collaborative-Learning project

Air pollution in Europe and children’s health

Climate Change: A Himalayan Odessey

No further discussion needed. The agreed global goal is to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C

Fossil-free electricity 2021

What we do

Air pollution

Climate Change

Policy initiatives

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