<
https://aqli.epic.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/AQLI-2024-Report_English.pdf>
"We’re pleased to bring you the latest data from the Air Quality Life Index
(AQLI). This data shows that fine particulate air pollution remains the
greatest external threat to public health. But pollution is also unequally
distributed amongst the world, with those breathing the dirtiest air (top
quintile) expected to see almost 3 years cut from their lives if high pollution
persists compared to those breathing the cleanest air (bottom quintile).
In this year’s report we build off a theme from last year: that pollution is
unequal because the basic tools and infrastructure countries have to fight
pollution is unequal. The missing tools we highlighted last year focused on
funding availability, monitoring and open data access. To help confront this
global challenge, this year we launched a new initiative—the EPIC Air Quality
Fund—to support local groups and organizations in installing monitors and
providing open data to communities that could benefit the most. Providing this
data allows citizens to understand the depth of the pollution problem where
they live and call for change.
Open access to data also provides a necessary guidepost for setting and
evaluating air quality standards—the theme of this year’s report. Our report
shows that if countries adopt ambitious standards and implement policies to
achieve them, global life expectancy would significantly improve. These
standards—some strong and some weak—reflect the multiple policy goals countries
have as they balance economic, environmental, and health goals. However, more
than three-quarters of countries and territories around the world are not
meeting their national pollution standards or have not even set a standard.
While the AQLI Annual Report highlights where standards have not been met, and
policies are failing, it’s important to also highlight the success stories that
can aid other parts of the world. Throughout history countries like the United
States, Europe, Japan, and, most recently, China have been able to
significantly reduce air pollution thanks to strong policies (policies that
came only after a persistent, public call for change). China, for example, now
meets its national standard and residents are living two years longer because
of the policy changes that have significantly reduced pollution since the
country declared a war against it in 2014. Building on this success, China is
now aiming for a further 10 percent reduction in particulate concentrations
across its prefectures by 2025, compared to 2020 levels."
Via
Fix the News:
https://fixthenews.com/blink-of-an-eye/
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
