Bronte Wells
The United States has historically been the biggest contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions, with its large vehicles, big houses, and heavy use of air conditioning. While China surpassed the US in total emissions a decade ago, the US is responsible for almost a third of the excess carbon dioxide heating the planet, and Americans burn fossil fuels at a much higher rate per capita than the Chinese. Air pollution in the US has severe health consequences, including premature death, cancer, organ failure, infections, behavioural changes, and other diseases. Communities of colour are disproportionately exposed to unhealthy air and are more likely to suffer from respiratory and cardiovascular issues, with extreme heat, drought, and wildfires worsening air quality. While the EPA has made efforts to improve air quality, the US's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement has been a setback for global efforts to address climate change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution | 66 million tons of pollution emitted into the atmosphere in 2023 |
| Air quality | Unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution in places where 46% of Americans live |
| Worst cities for air pollution | Bakersfield and Los Angeles, California |
| Health problems | Premature death, cancer, organ failure, infections, behavioral changes, and other diseases |
| Cardiovascular disease | Kills a person every 40 seconds in the US |
| Worst affected communities | Communities of color, Hispanics, African Americans, Asians |
| Greenhouse gas emissions sources | Industry, commercial and residential, agriculture, land use and forestry |
| Clean Power Plan | Announced in 2015 to reduce carbon pollution from power plants |
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What You'll Learn
The US is the biggest carbon polluter in history
The United States has contributed more than any other country to the atmospheric carbon dioxide that is warming the planet. In 2017, David G. Victor, a scholar of climate politics at the University of California, San Diego, affirmed that "In cumulative terms, we [the US] certainly own this problem more than anybody else does".
The typical American burns roughly twice as much fossil fuel as the average person in Europe or Japan, and 10 times as much as the average person in India. The US has been burning coal, oil, and natural gas for far longer than other countries. With just over 4% of the world's population, the US is responsible for almost a third of the excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. China surpassed the US in emissions a decade ago, and its emissions today are about double the American figure. However, some of China's emissions are from producing goods for the US and other rich countries.
Despite improvements in air quality since 1980, the US continues to emit tens of millions of tons of pollution into the atmosphere each year. In 2023, about 66 million tons of pollution were emitted into the atmosphere in the US, contributing to the formation of ozone and particles, the deposition of acids, and visibility impairment. The "State of the Air" 2025 report found that 46% of Americans (156.1 million people) live in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. This is nearly 25 million more people than the previous year's report and more than in any other year over the last decade.
The US's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Deal in 2017 was a significant setback for efforts to address climate change. As the biggest carbon polluter in history, the US has an obligation to take ambitious action to slow global warming.
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Air pollution in the US disproportionately affects minorities
The United States has historically contributed more to air pollution than any other country. In 2023, about 66 million tons of pollution were emitted into the US atmosphere, contributing to the formation of ozone and particles, the deposition of acids, and visibility impairment. Despite this, the US has seen a 78% decrease in the total emissions of the six principal air pollutants since 1970. However, the burden of air pollution is not evenly distributed, with minorities and low-income communities being disproportionately affected.
According to the American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report in 2025, nearly half of the US population (156.1 million people) lives with unhealthy levels of air pollution. This problem disproportionately affects communities of color, who are more likely to live in areas with failing grades for air quality. People of color make up 41.2% of the US population but account for 50.2% of those living in counties with unhealthy air. Additionally, they are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions that increase their vulnerability to air pollution, such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.
Several factors contribute to the disproportionate impact of air pollution on minority communities. Firstly, pollution sources, such as industrial facilities and major roadways, tend to be located near disadvantaged communities, increasing their exposure to harmful pollutants. Secondly, low socioeconomic status can make individuals more susceptible to health threats due to limited access to healthcare, healthy food options, and quality jobs. Additionally, existing health conditions and behaviours, such as higher rates of smoking, can further increase the risk of health complications from air pollution.
Research has consistently shown that minorities, especially Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans, experience higher exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) and other harmful pollutants. A 2021 study by the EPA-funded Center for Air, Climate, and Energy Solutions found that people of colour breathe more particulate air pollution on average, regardless of income level or region. This disparity persists due to systemic racism and housing policies that have historically pushed people of colour and pollution together.
Addressing these disparities requires effective regulations and policies that combat environmental injustice. While overall emissions reductions are important, they do not address racial and socioeconomic inequalities in exposure to air pollution. Therefore, a comprehensive approach that considers the unique challenges faced by minority and low-income communities is necessary to ensure equitable air quality and protect the health and well-being of all Americans.
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Los Angeles is the city with the most ozone pollution in the US
The United States has contributed more than any other country to the atmospheric carbon dioxide that is warming the planet. In 2023, about 66 million tons of pollution were emitted into the US atmosphere, mostly contributing to the formation of ozone and particles, the deposition of acids, and visibility impairment.
Los Angeles, California, is the city with the worst ozone pollution in the US. It has held this position for 25 of the 26 years of reporting in the "State of the Air" report. The city's air quality averages a US AQI or air quality index rating of "moderate", with monthly averages in 2019 varying from AQI 32 ("good") in February to AQI 64 ("moderate") in November. Despite these seemingly optimistic ratings, Los Angeles's air pollution is among the worst in the United States, for both PM2.5 and ozone.
Ozone is a gas pollutant formed when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides and organic substances. Vehicle exhaust contains both the nitrogen oxides and reactive organic substances needed to form ozone, so traffic is frequently identified as a leading source of ozone pollution in Los Angeles. The prevalence of these pollutants also results from the burning of fossil fuels, especially by vehicles, ships, planes, and manufacturing, as well as wildfires. The large population of 4 million in Los Angeles, with another 6 million in the surrounding Los Angeles county, contributes significantly to the city's 'nonattainment' air quality status because of heavy vehicular emissions and traffic congestion. It is estimated that there are 6.5 million vehicles in the city of Los Angeles alone.
The American Lung Association's "State of the Air" 2025 report finds that even after decades of successful efforts to reduce sources of air pollution, 46% of Americans (156.1 million people) are living in places that get failing grades for unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. This is nearly 25 million more people breathing unhealthy air compared to the previous year's report. Communities of color are disproportionately exposed to unhealthy air and are also more likely to be living with one or more chronic conditions that make them more vulnerable to air pollution, including asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.
There is some hope for the future of air quality in Los Angeles. The current mayor, Eric Garcetti, has set forth a sustainability plan that seeks to increase zero-emission vehicles in the city, growing their share from 1.4% in 2018 to 25% by 2025, and 100% by 2050. Other improvements, such as increasing the percentage of the power grid that relies on renewable energy, will also be critical steps. Long-standing trends of improving air quality in Los Angeles, coupled with promising new legislation and shifts in purchasing behavior, provide optimism for the future of air quality in the city.
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The Clean Power Plan aims to reduce carbon pollution from power plants
The United States has historically contributed more emissions than any other country, making it the biggest carbon polluter in history. In 2023, about 66 million tons of pollution were emitted into the US atmosphere, with emissions contributing to the formation of ozone and particles, the deposition of acids, and visibility impairment.
The Clean Power Plan was an Obama administration policy aimed at combating climate change and reducing carbon pollution from power plants. It was first proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in June 2014 and unveiled by President Barack Obama on August 3, 2015. The plan set out to reduce carbon emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants, with each state assigned a target for reducing carbon emissions within its borders.
The Clean Power Plan provided strong but achievable standards for power plants, with customized goals for states to cut carbon pollution. It also offered flexibility to states and utilities, allowing them to preserve reliable and affordable power for Americans while optimizing pollution reductions. The plan targeted fossil fuel-fired power plants, aiming to make them operate more cleanly and efficiently, while expanding the capacity for zero- and low-emitting power sources.
The Clean Power Plan was designed to accelerate the transition to clean energy, putting the country on pace to cut dangerous carbon and air pollution to historically low levels. By 2030, the plan aimed to reduce carbon pollution from the power sector by 32% compared to 2005 levels, improving public health and protecting Americans from harmful air pollution.
However, in March 2017, President Donald Trump signed an executive order for the EPA to review the Clean Power Plan. This ultimately led to the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement in June 2017, and the formal process to repeal the Clean Power Plan was announced.
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The US's love of big cars contributes to air pollution
The United States has contributed more than any other country to atmospheric carbon dioxide, and its love of big cars is a significant factor in this. The typical American burns twice as much fossil fuel as the average European or Japanese person and ten times as much as the average Indian.
Cars are a major contributor to air pollution, and the health consequences are severe. When cars burn gasoline, they emit pollutants, predominantly carbon dioxide, which contribute to global climate change. Vehicle emissions are a major source of benzene, a carcinogen linked to leukaemia, blood disorders, and infertility. They increase the risk of asthma, heart and lung disease, dementia, and cancers, especially in children and those living near busy roads or commuting long distances. Living near busy roads has also been linked to developmental delays in children and disorders during pregnancy. In the US, 17,000 to 20,000 people die each year from vehicle pollution, and one in three is exposed to unhealthy air. People of colour are disproportionately affected, with some breathing an average of 66% more air pollution from cars and trucks than white residents in certain regions.
The transportation sector is responsible for over 55% of nitrogen oxides total emissions inventory in the US, and less than 10% of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter emissions. Diesel vehicles contribute 60% of NOx emissions in US transportation. NOx causes environmental issues such as acid rain, deteriorated water quality, and soil and surface water acidification. It also forms ground-level ozone (smog) and PM2.5, both harmful to health and the environment.
While the US has made efforts to reduce air pollution, with newer vehicles emitting less pollution than older ones, the country's love of big cars continues to contribute significantly to air pollution and its associated health and environmental issues.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2023, about 66 million tons of pollution were emitted into the atmosphere in the United States. However, between 1970 and 2023, total emissions of the six principal air pollutants dropped by 78%.
According to the American Lung Association's 2024 report, California has the most metro areas on the list of the 25 most-polluted cities, with Los Angeles taking the top spot for the most contaminated air in the country. Bakersfield, California, has the worst short-term and year-round particle pollution.
Air pollution has been linked to a range of health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, premature death, cancer, organ failure, infections, behavioral changes, and other diseases. Prenatal exposure to air pollution has also been associated with asthma in children.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working to improve air quality by setting national air quality standards, tracking emissions data, and proposing rules to reduce methane and greenhouse gas emissions. In 2015, the Clean Power Plan was announced to reduce carbon pollution from power plants.
Research has shown that communities of color and low-income communities are disproportionately exposed to unhealthy air pollution. Hispanics, African Americans, and Asians have been found to be exposed to higher levels of certain pollutants, and people of color are more likely to live near industrial facilities and toxic waste sites.
