The World’s Air Quality: A Year of Concern and Improvement
In 2021, global air quality took a worrying turn. According to IQAir, a company that tracks the world’s most polluted cities, an average annual concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in every country exceeded the World Health Organization’s guidelines by at least 10 times.
The report analyzed data from over 6,000 cities across 117 countries and regions, revealing stark disparities between the best and worst places for air quality. The Scandinavian nations, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom ranked among the top performers in terms of clean air, with average levels exceeding WHO guidelines by only 1 to 2 times.
In contrast, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh were among the countries with the most severe air pollution, with excess concentrations of PM2.5 by at least 10 times. The report also highlighted that these nations’ poor air quality was exacerbated by factors such as fossil fuel-powered transportation, energy production, and wildfires.
The United States, however, struggled to meet WHO’s standards, with IQAir finding that only 222 cities out of over 2,400 analyzed had average levels exceeding the guidelines. Los Angeles remained one of the most polluted cities in the US, despite a slight decrease compared to previous year.
Researchers attributed the main sources of pollution in the US to fossil fuel-powered transportation and energy production, which were exacerbated by climate change-fueled wildfires. The Caldor and Dixie fires in California, as well as the Bootleg Fire in Oregon, contributed significantly to hazardous air quality.
China made significant strides in improving its air quality, with more than half of Chinese cities analyzed showing lower levels of PM2.5 compared to previous year. Beijing’s five-year trend of improved air quality was attributed to a policy-driven drawdown of polluting industries.
The Amazon Rainforest also emitted more carbon dioxide last year than it absorbed, highlighting the critical role that this ecosystem plays in mitigating climate change. Deforestation and wildfires have threatened the delicate balance of the rainforest, polluted the air, and contributed to global warming.
Despite these improvements, many developing countries remain without adequate monitoring stations or data, resulting in a lack of understanding about their air quality. The African country of Chad was included for the first time due to an improvement in its monitoring network, while Tarik Benmarhnia, a climate change epidemiologist at Scripps Institution, noted that Bangladesh’s air pollution remains among the highest.
Overall, 2021 marked a concerning year for global air quality, with many countries struggling to meet WHO’s guidelines. However, there are signs of improvement in some regions and nations, highlighting the need for continued efforts to reduce emissions and promote cleaner air.
Based on reporting from CNN World.
