News 21 August 2024
Check out the latest news articles, research, opinions and efforts to tackle air pollution around the world.
Concerning impact of wildfire smoke on air quality and health
Summer in the northern hemisphere has meant an increase in wildfires, particularly across the US and Canada. A number of outlets drew attention to the impact wildfire smoke can have on our health (including increasing dementia risk), particularly for groups who have no choice but to live and work amid dangerous levels of smoke.
IPCC report on short-lived climate forcers to be published in 2027
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) announced it will publish its first ever special report on short-lived climate forcers in 2027. Short-lived climate forcers – which include black carbon, and tropospheric ozone – are pollutants that contribute to air pollution and exacerbate public health challenges. The report will be instrumental in enabling governments to monitor and report on air pollution reductions for climate change mitigation and the prevention of poor health.
African ministers endorse strategies to clean air along Northern Corridor
The Northern Corridor is one of the most polluted transport routes in Africa, seeing up to 3,000 freight vehicles a day. To clean up the air along the route, the Northern Corridor and Transport Coordination Authority is launching “green-freight” strategies, supported by UN Environment Programme and Climate & Clean Air Coalition. The latest, endorsed by national ministers in June, aims to reduce the emissions of three common pollutants – particulate matter, black carbon and nitrogen oxide – by 12% within this decade.
Hospitals link air pollution data to patient records
In a bid to join the dots between air quality and patient health, a group of UK hospitals have begun linking patient records with data on air pollution at their home addresses. The move will help clinicians with diagnoses, and supporting patients to limit their exposure to dirty air.
Year of elections could accelerate action on air pollution
This year, 64 countries will host elections. Votes made in 2024 will shape climate and environmental policy decisions for many years to come. Jane Burston and Venetia Bell reflect on this huge opportunity to push clean air up the political agenda, and realise global health, economic and climate benefits.
Low-cost sensors enable hyper local air quality monitoring
Less than a third of countries surveyed for this report have implemented air quality monitoring networks or management strategies. Low-cost sensors could provide a general indicator of air quality levels where countries lack technical capacity and funding to implement more comprehensive systems, argues this blog from the Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development.
Prolonged exposure to air pollution linked to severe menopause symptoms
Research published this month has shown that prolonged exposure to air pollution can be linked to severe menopause symptoms. These findings deepen our understanding of the impact that poor air quality can have across the life course, beyond respiratory and other clearly related conditions.
Estimating global PM2.5 and other non greenhouse gas co-pollutants
Climate TRACE has been modeling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions estimates since 2021, and asset-level emissions (traced to specific sources) estimates since 2022. Now an initial scoping study will explore how the organisation might model particulate matter (PM2.5) and other non-GHG co-pollutants from around the world in its global dataset.
C40 Cities launches #ItsInTheAir
Last month, Jane Burston (CEO, Clean Air Fund) and Mayors from C40 Cities came together in Paris to launch #ItsInTheAir, a global campaign celebrating clean air zones and ambitious sustainable transport policies. The campaign will run until Clean Air Day on 7 September 2024 and will feature various events such as street closures and bike rides in Seattle, sports and cultural events in Stockholm and Quito, and community workshops in Bogotá.
