Air Pollution Causes Over 4.5 Million Premature Deaths Globally Annually

Air pollution remains a critical global health threat, causing over 4.5 million premature deaths annually and contributing to severe chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, cancer, and diabetes. Key sources include traffic congestion, fossil fuel combustion, and increasingly severe wildfires driven by climate change, with smoke from wildfires spreading pollutants across continents, as observed in Europe, the Americas, and Siberia. While some regions like Eastern China and parts of Europe have seen improvements in air quality due to stringent measures like increased green spaces, electric vehicles, and emission controls, ground-level ozone pollution remains persistently high. In cities such as Lucknow, India, traffic-related air pollution has significantly reduced life expectancy by up to 6.5 years, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable urban transport and electric vehicle transitions. Research in the United States shows that ambitious climate actions, including expanding renewable energy and electrifying transportation, could reduce air pollution-related deaths by thousands annually by 2030, emphasizing the immediate health benefits alongside long-term climate goals. Experts worldwide urge policymakers to maintain and strengthen efforts to combat air pollution, given its profound impact on public health, economic costs, and environmental sustainability.