In 2023, only seven countries in the world met the World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines, while over 90 percent of countries exceeded them. This alarming statistic was revealed in a report by IQAir, which analyzed data from 134 countries, regions, and territories. The study found that central and South Asia are home to the top ten most polluted cities in the world.
The report underscores the urgent need for countries to take action to improve air quality and protect public health. Glory Dolphin Hammes, North American CEO for IQAir sheds light on the issue. Despite efforts to control air pollution, most nations struggle to meet air quality standards. The reasons behind this vary globally, making it difficult to generalize.
One of the root causes of air pollution is industrial emissions. However, wildfires fueled by climate change have also worsened air quality in cities like Minneapolis, Detroit, and Milwaukee in North America. Addressing these root causes is crucial to creating a cleaner and healthier environment for all.
