Helena Joyce
Every second, the Earth gets polluted with a range of harmful substances, including air pollutants, water contaminants, and hazardous chemicals. Air pollution alone causes approximately 7 million premature deaths annually, with 90% of these occurring in low- and middle-income countries. It is responsible for various diseases such as asthma, strokes, heart attacks, cancer, and even cognitive decline. Outdoor air pollution kills about 5.7 million people each year, imposing economic costs of nearly 5% of global GDP due to its impacts on health, productivity, and life expectancy. Water pollution, particularly in the oceans, poses a significant threat to marine life and ecosystems, while hazardous chemicals like mercury, lead, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have devastating consequences for both human health and the environment. Natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions, can also rapidly increase air pollution, affecting atmospheric conditions and crop yields worldwide. Despite efforts to reduce pollution through legislation and international agreements, the Earth continues to face significant pollution challenges, with over 99% of people breathing air that exceeds safe levels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Global land area with safe air pollution levels | 0.18% |
| Percentage of the global population exposed to safe levels of air pollution | 0.001% |
| Number of premature deaths caused by air pollution in 2019 | 6.67 million |
| Percentage of global deaths caused by air pollution occurring in low- and middle-income countries | 90% |
| Number of young children dying daily due to air pollution | 2,000 |
| Global air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels and biomass | 85% |
| Global energy-related CO2 emissions increase in 2022 | 0.9% |
| Global land area with safe levels of PM2.5 | Less than 1% |
| Number of premature deaths caused by air pollution per year | 7 million |
| Global crop yield losses due to air pollution | 3-16% |
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What You'll Learn
Air pollution kills 7 million people a year
Air pollution is a leading environmental risk to health, causing around 7 million premature deaths each year. This is a similar death toll to that caused by smoking, which is around 8 million. To put it in perspective, air pollution kills about 500 times more people annually than natural disasters. It is also six or seven times higher than the number of people who die in road accidents.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 99% of the world's population lives in places that exceed WHO thresholds designed to protect human health. Ambient or outdoor air pollution is caused by the burning of fossil fuels, forest fires, waste burning, industrial activities, and natural factors. According to WHO, sources of indoor air pollution include household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities, and residential energy use for cooking and heating.
The effects of air pollution are especially severe in low- and middle-income countries, where more than 90% of pollution-related deaths occur. In 2019, a study found that China had the highest concentration of PM2.5, a harmful particulate matter, when weighted by population. Other countries with high levels of PM2.5 include North Korea, Bangladesh, Niger, South Korea, Mauritania, Armenia, India, Pakistan, and Egypt.
The good news is that air pollution levels are falling in many countries, and some of the poorest countries might be able to skip the pollution curve entirely thanks to new technologies. For example, the US has seen a 60% reduction in air pollutant emissions over the last 35 years due to legislation such as the 1990 Oil Pollution Act and the Montreal Protocol. Similar improvements have been observed in China, which has passed its "peak air pollution" phase.
However, air pollution remains a significant problem, and addressing it is crucial for protecting human health and the environment.
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99% of people breathe unsafe air
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of people worldwide breathe air that exceeds recommended air quality limits, threatening their health. This means that only 0.001% of the global population breathes safe air, with the remaining 99.999% at risk.
A safe threshold for PM2.5 exposure is 5 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3). However, the average annual exposure only fell below this threshold for 0.001% of people, as per a Monash University study published in The Lancet Planetary Health. PM2.5 particles are especially harmful as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory issues. NO2, or nitrogen dioxide, is another common urban pollutant associated with respiratory diseases, particularly asthma, and is a precursor to particulate matter and ozone formation.
In 2022, the WHO updated its air quality database, including ground measurements of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter with diameters equal to or smaller than 10 microns (PM10) or 2.5 microns (PM2.5). This database is the most extensive yet in its coverage of ground-level air pollution exposure. Despite this progress, the majority of cities still do not meet air quality guidelines, and people in low- and middle-income countries suffer the highest exposures to unhealthy air.
The evidence base for the harmful effects of air pollution on human health is rapidly growing, with even low levels of many air pollutants causing significant harm. Air pollution causes approximately 7 million premature deaths each year, with more than 90% of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In 2019, it was estimated that more than 5.5 million adults died from cardiovascular disease associated with lead exposure, and children under five lost 765 million IQ points due to unhealthy air.
While legislation and international efforts have helped reduce certain types of pollution, such as the Montreal Protocol's success in eliminating CFCs, air pollution remains a critical issue. The transition to cleaner and healthier energy systems is crucial, and tangible steps to curb fossil fuel use are necessary to improve air quality and protect human health.
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Fossil fuels are the biggest polluters
Fossil fuels are the biggest contributor to global pollution. The burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in the United States. Over 94% of the fuel used for transportation is petroleum-based, including gasoline and diesel, resulting in direct emissions. The transportation sector is the largest source of direct greenhouse gas emissions.
Fossil fuels emit harmful air pollutants even before they are burned. According to a 2017 study, approximately 17.6 million Americans are exposed daily to toxic air pollution from active oil and gas wells and transport and processing facilities. These include benzene, which is linked to childhood leukemia and blood disorders, and formaldehyde, a cancer-causing chemical.
Mining operations also generate toxic airborne particulate matter, which has serious health impacts. Strip mining, for example, can release vast carbon stores held naturally in forests and mountaintops. Fossil fuel operations also require vast stretches of land for infrastructure, such as wells, pipelines, and access roads, as well as waste storage and disposal facilities.
The combustion of fossil fuels is the primary source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion increased by 8% in 2022 relative to 2020. Fossil fuels are also a significant source of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, which are generated through chemical production and combustion.
The use of fossil fuels has had an enormous toll on humanity and the environment, contributing to air and water pollution, global warming, and climate change. It is the leading environmental risk to health, causing approximately 7 million premature deaths each year.
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Water pollution is a rising crisis
Water pollution is a growing crisis with far-reaching consequences for both human health and the environment. It is a significant contributor to climate change and poses a severe threat to the planet's freshwater sources. Water pollution occurs when harmful substances, often chemicals or microorganisms, contaminate bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, oceans, and aquifers, degrading water quality and making it toxic. This contamination can come from various sources, including agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and untreated human wastewater.
Freshwater is essential for human survival, yet it is incredibly scarce, with only 3% of the world's water being freshwater, and two-thirds of that is inaccessible, locked away in glaciers or otherwise unavailable. The agricultural sector is the largest consumer of freshwater, using around 70% of the world's surface water supplies, but it is also a major contributor to water pollution. Inefficient irrigation systems, the cultivation of water-intensive crops, and the use of pesticides and fertilizers all contribute to this issue. As a result, rivers, lakes, and aquifers are drying up or becoming too polluted to use, impacting both ecosystems and human communities that rely on them.
Climate change further exacerbates water scarcity and pollution. Rising temperatures disrupt precipitation patterns, leading to unpredictable rainfall, droughts, and floods. These changes in water cycles affect water quality and availability, with higher water temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events intensifying various forms of water pollution. Additionally, melting glaciers and snow contribute to altering water supplies and ecosystems, particularly in mid-to-high latitudes and high-mountain regions.
The impact of water pollution on human health is profound. Unsafe water is responsible for more deaths annually than war and all other forms of violence combined. Waterborne illnesses, such as cholera and typhoid fever, claim the lives of many, particularly in areas with inadequate sanitation. Moreover, chemical pollutants like heavy metals, pesticides, and fertilizers contaminate water supplies, leading to various health issues, including cancer, hormone disruption, and altered brain function. Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to these toxic effects, and even recreational activities like swimming can pose health risks.
Addressing water pollution is crucial for ensuring sustainable economic growth, alleviating poverty, and improving public health. By implementing efficient water management practices, promoting sustainable agricultural methods, and reducing industrial pollution, it is possible to mitigate the water crisis and safeguard this precious resource for future generations.
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Pollution causes climate change
The Earth is constantly getting polluted by a variety of factors, and this pollution is causing climate change. Air pollution is the leading environmental risk to health, causing approximately 7 million premature deaths each year. According to a recent World Bank publication, outdoor air pollution alone kills roughly 5.7 million people globally every year, with economic costs equivalent to nearly 5% of global GDP. In 2019, more than 5.5 million adults died from cardiovascular disease associated with exposure to lead.
Climate pollutants such as greenhouse gases trap the Earth's heat in the atmosphere, leading to warmer temperatures and the hallmarks of climate change: rising sea levels, extreme weather events, heat-related deaths, and increased transmission of infectious diseases. Carbon dioxide, primarily from burning fossil fuels, accounted for about 79% of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions in 2021, while methane, a more potent and destructive gas, made up over 11%. The release of tiny particles called aerosols from burning fossil fuels or wood further contributes to warming by absorbing sunlight.
Additionally, climate change exacerbates air quality issues. Heatwaves caused by global warming increase ground-level ozone pollution and prolong pollen seasons, negatively impacting air quality and causing health problems such as allergic reactions and asthma attacks. Climate warming also leads to more frequent and severe droughts, which increase the risk of forest fires that release carbon monoxide and particulates into the atmosphere.
Water pollution, hazardous chemicals, and waste, such as mercury, lead, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), also contribute to climate change and have devastating impacts. They cause debilitating and fatal illnesses, create harmful living conditions, and destroy ecosystems. They also exacerbate poverty and inequality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where more than 90% of pollution-related deaths occur.
While some regions have made progress in reducing pollution, such as the USA's overall emissions of air pollutants falling by about 60% in the last 35 years due to legislation, the Earth continues to face significant pollution challenges. Addressing pollution through interventions and sustainable practices is crucial for mitigating climate change, improving public health, and fostering a more prosperous future for all.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to provide an accurate estimate of how much the Earth is getting polluted per second, as this depends on a multitude of factors. However, it is clear that the Earth is facing a significant pollution crisis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of people breathe air that exceeds their guideline limits.
The burning of fossil fuels and biomass is responsible for 85% of global air pollution. The global demand for oil, natural gas, and coal continues to increase, despite calls for an end to our dependence on these energy sources to meet net-zero emissions targets.
Pollution has devastating impacts on human health, the environment, and the economy. It is the leading environmental risk factor for premature death, causing approximately 7 million deaths annually. It also exacerbates climate change, harms biodiversity, and undermines sustainable economic growth.
Governments play a crucial role in combating pollution by implementing regulations and policies to reduce emissions and enforce clean air standards. International agreements, such as the Kyoto Protocol, have also been effective in limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, individuals can contribute by advocating for clean air policies, supporting sustainable practices, and reducing their own personal contributions to pollution.
