A group of scientists has devised a novel method of depicting the disparities in air pollution levels around the world.

The Air Quality Stripes, inspired by Ed Hawkins' Climate Stripes, show the change in particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution from 1850 to 2021.
 

Every day, 330 million people worldwide are subjected to sand and dust storms. Dust storms are bad for the environment because they degrade land and water resources, exacerbate climate change consequences, and make ecosystems more vulnerable to disasters.

This Forbes article sheds more light on this increasing global threat.

Transboundary air pollution threatens public health and the environment across #CentralAsia.

In June, the @WorldBank, @UNEP, and @GOVuz co-organized the first high-level dialogue on air quality management to advance regional solutions: https://t.co/IwGQezN5F7 #CleanAirNow pic.twitter.com/tcPLI1Rhbf

— World Bank Europe and Central Asia (@WorldBankECA) September 6, 2024

Air pollution from domestic coal combustion, transportation, and industry endangers the health of Bishkek's one million residents.

A new World Bank-funded project, led by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, aims to improve air quality management and lower emissions in Bishkek and beyond.

Everyone deserves to breathe #CleanAir. 🌬️ On today’s #WorldCleanAirDay, learn about #AirPollution, its impact, and how you can make a difference for #CleanAirNow:https://t.co/VZJAqqrCsE pic.twitter.com/Mgtm3ljWMJ

— Environment Canada (@environmentca) September 7, 2024

🌎 This #WorldCleanAirDay is about investing in #CleanAirNow.#IPCC's 2021 #ClimateReport shows that #ClimateChange & #AirQuality are intimately linked. Many of the human activities that produce long-lived greenhouse gases also emit air pollutants.

🔗 https://t.co/yGsknQKUfB pic.twitter.com/rtrwg3OkMj

— IPCC (@IPCC_CH) September 7, 2024

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has released a bulletin for the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. The bulletin shows that ambient air pollution causes more than 4.5 million premature deaths annually and highlights the need for coordinated climate change and air quality policies.

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Air pollution costs the global economy a staggering US$8.1 trillion every year, or 6.1 per cent of the world's gross domestic product. Investment is urgently needed for #CleanAirNow. 

This video explains the effects of air pollution and how strategic investment can help.

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation’s (CEC) Air Quality Improvement for Environmental Justice initiative was launched in 2022. 

This initiative facilitates partnerships with communities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States that are experiencing disproportionate environmental harm or risk from poor air quality conditions resulting from black carbon and particulate matter (PM_2.5) emissions. As part of this initiative, the CEC has formalized three collaboration agreements in three communities: Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Ontario, Canada, Fundación Tosepan in Puebla, Mexico and Comité Cívico del Valle in California, United States. 

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