Every year 6.4 million lives are lost due to ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, type 2 diabetes, and neonatal disorders, among others.
It is the result of fine particulate matter or PM2.5 to be precise. About 95% of these deaths occur in developing countries, wherein billions are subject to higher PM2.5 concentrations both indoors and outdoors which exceeds WHO recommended levels by significant margins. A World Bank report has found out that the cost to the economy due to health impacts of air pollution is staggering 8.1 trillion dollars, or 6.1% of the global economy.
Global Warming and Air Pollution: Impact on Health, Economy, and Ecosystems
Air pollution is more severe in disadvantaged communities so it is the poor and children living in such families who are most afflicted and least equipped to manage the air pollution related health impacts of air pollution. All over the world, diseases like COVID-19 have the potential of destroying a society’s robustness. To add fuel to the situation, there is a correlation between the exposure to pollution and the number of hospitalizations and death rates related to COVID.
Apart from being detrimental, air pollution has an effect on ecosystems and human wellbeing. However, it has been proven that tackling air pollution enhances economies while good health is the bonus. An analysis conducted by the World Bank deduced that a decrease of 20% in PM2.5 concentration translates to employment growth rate by 16% and labor productivity by 33%.in Global warming updates
How does climate change incorporate air pollution?
Air pollution and climate change have a close link, however they are usually solved independently. They need to be treated together so that even those populations in developing countries would be able endure the harsh conditions whilst working towards reducing poverty.
Global warming A lot of air pollutants along with greenhouse gases have one source including diesel vehicles and coal powered plants. A number of SLCPs, is black carbon along with PM2.5 and methane which are largely known to be short-lived.
