Air Pollution Protests: A Global Fight For Clean Air

Air pollution is a pressing issue that has sparked protests around the world. From Greenpeace activists in Thailand, Romania, and Senegal to citizens in North Macedonia and the UK, people are demanding action from their governments and calling for cleaner air. These protests often take the form of public demonstrations, marches, and sit-ins, with protesters risking repression and even criminalization to make their voices heard. While the specific concerns vary, the underlying message is clear: air pollution is a critical issue that needs to be addressed urgently.

Environmental activists protest air pollution in Bucharest, Thailand, Dakar, and Istanbul

Environmental activists have been protesting air pollution in Bucharest, Thailand, Dakar, and Istanbul. In Bucharest, Romania, residents have been demanding cleaner air, as the city's pollution problem has been exacerbated by an unusually mild winter. Independent air monitoring networks have shown that fine particle pollution in the city is more than three times the European limit. In response, residents have been working with NGOs to put up pollution sensors in parks to determine when it is safe for their children to play outside.

In Bangkok, Thailand, dozens of activists held a protest over air pollution in January 2020. The city's air quality index had been hovering at unhealthy levels, with particles found in dust, soot, and smoke (PM 2.5) measured at unhealthy levels for 23 of the past 30 days. Activists demanded action from the government, with Greenpeace Thailand stating that "protecting the environment and health did not damage economic development but went hand in hand with it."

While there is no specific information on air pollution protests in Dakar, Senegal, research has shown that individuals in the city are willing to pay for improved air quality. A study conducted between February and May 2019 found that 70% of individuals were willing to pay an average of CFA Francs 3114.8 (USD 5.6) per month to contribute to air quality improvement. This indicates a recognition of the problem and a willingness to take action to address it.

Istanbul, Turkey, has also been facing issues with air pollution, particularly smog, which has reached unhealthy levels in many regions. A study by Burdur and Sarı (2018) found that the PM10 value at short-term exposure is associated with worsening respiratory diseases, including asthma and COPD. The WHO has stated that exposure to air pollution causes 7 million premature deaths annually, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue.

Protests against air pollution in Hong Kong show no evidence of a decrease in NO2

Protests are a powerful tool to bring about change. In Hong Kong, several large-scale public protests have taken place since 1997, with residents expressing their concerns on a range of issues. Notably, in 2012, a series of popular demonstrations were sparked by proposed changes to the school curriculum. Protesters feared that the new curriculum would be used to encourage children to support the Chinese Communist Party. On July 29, 2012, a massive march of around 100,000 people took place from Victoria Park to Tamar. While there is little evidence of reduced NO2 concentrations at the Causeway Bay site, concentrations at the monitoring site in Central were noticeably lower during the afternoon of the protest.

Similarly, during the 2019 protests, there were low NO2 concentrations at Causeway Bay and Central, two major sites in Hong Kong, on June 16. The low concentrations persisted until early the next morning. Another protest on June 21, 2019, saw demonstrators gather outside the government headquarters, blocking Harcourt Road and demanding the withdrawal of the extradition bill. Despite the impact on traffic flow, these protests did not lead to a decrease in NO2 levels as one might expect.

The unexpected low concentrations of NO2 during the protests can be attributed to the disruption of traffic flows. However, this does not indicate a reduction in overall air pollution. In fact, there were only subtle changes in particulate loads, and carbon monoxide concentrations remained unchanged. While methods like pedestrianisation and bus route rationalisation are often suggested to reduce air pollution in congested areas, the complex interplay of various pollutants means that improving nitrogen dioxide levels may not be accompanied by improvements in other harmful pollutants.

The protests in Hong Kong highlight the public's active engagement in addressing pressing issues. However, the lack of evidence of decreased NO2 levels during the protests underscores the complexity of tackling air pollution. It is crucial to thoroughly investigate the potential impacts on various pollutants before implementing changes to street layouts or traffic flows, as a piecemeal approach may not effectively improve overall air quality.

Citizens of Skopje, North Macedonia, demand action against air pollution

Air pollution is a critical issue in Skopje, North Macedonia, with the city ranked among the top ten most polluted in Europe. The major sources of this pollution are heating, industry, transport, construction, and waste. Citizens of Skopje are demanding action from the authorities to combat this issue, and their activism has taken various forms.

On December 10, 2024, protesters organized by the Green Humane City initiative took to the streets of Skopje, some wearing face masks and gas masks, demanding effective measures to tackle air pollution. They carried banners and chanted against the authorities, expressing their dissatisfaction with the current state of air quality in the city. This protest is just one example of the increasing citizen activism in North Macedonia regarding air pollution.

Young people in Skopje, such as environmental activist Desanka, have also been actively advocating for cleaner air. Desanka has worked with other youth to petition the government for higher fines for factories that do not implement adequate protection measures to improve air quality. She emphasizes the importance of "stopping air pollution at the source" and ensuring that factories use appropriate filters. UNICEF has supported these efforts by conducting workshops in municipalities heavily affected by air pollution, empowering young people to raise their voices and engage in decision-making on environmental policies.

The citizens of Skopje are taking a stand against air pollution through initiatives, protests, and petitions. They are demanding that the authorities recognize the urgency of the problem and implement effective solutions. While there is still a long way to go, their activism is a powerful statement of their commitment to improving the air quality in their city and protecting their health and well-being.

The US faces a worsening of air quality, with almost 156 million people affected

The United States is facing a significant challenge of worsening air quality, with almost 156 million people, or 46% of its population, affected by dangerous levels of air pollution. This issue is not limited to specific regions but is prevalent across the country, with only two cities, Bangor, Maine, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, meeting the cleanest cities criteria for all three pollution measures.

The American Lung Association's (ALA) annual "State of the Air" report for 2025 highlights the severity of the problem. According to the report, 156 million people live in areas with unhealthy levels of soot, smog, ozone, or particle pollution, which is a 16% increase compared to the previous year's report and the highest number in a decade. These pollutants can have serious health consequences, including premature death, asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, preterm births, and impaired cognitive functioning.

The worsening air quality is attributed to several factors, including extreme heat, drought, and wildfires, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. The changing climate is making it more challenging to maintain air quality and protect public health. Additionally, the Trump administration's rollbacks of environmental regulations and cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been criticized for exacerbating the problem.

The impact of air pollution is not evenly distributed, as people of color, particularly Latino Americans, are more than twice as likely to live in communities with high levels of air pollution. This disparity underscores the environmental justice issues that have been exacerbated by policies that prioritize industrial expansion and economic interests over the health and well-being of vulnerable communities.

In response to the worsening air quality and the lack of adequate government action, there have been increasing calls for climate action and protests demanding more resolute government intervention. Environmental defenders and activists have employed various peaceful protest methods, such as blocking streets, motorways, and railway tracks, to raise awareness and urge policymakers to address the urgent issue of air pollution and its detrimental effects on human health and the environment.

Water pollution protests take place in the UK, with sewage spills in focus

Water pollution has become an increasingly prominent issue in the UK, with protesters demanding government action over the country's sewage crisis. On the 3rd of November 2024, thousands of blue-clad protesters marched through London, calling for action on the country's contaminated coastal waters and rivers. The Clean Water March was organised by 140 organisations and started at the Albert Embankment, ending with a rally in Parliament Square. The broadcaster Chris Packham, the actor Jim Murray, and Giles Bristow, the chief executive of the campaign group Surfers Against Sewage, led the march.

Protesters called on the government to tackle water pollution, with a particular focus on sewage spills. According to the Environment Agency, there were 3.6 million hours of spills in 2023, more than double the total hours of spills in 2022. The number of discharges increased by more than 50% last year to a record 464,000 spills. Water companies can release untreated sewage during heavy rainfall to prevent homes from being flooded, but there have been instances of premature releases, which are potentially illegal when it is dry. These spills contain human waste, wet wipes, and sanitary products, posing a serious risk to local wildlife, swimmers, and others who use UK waterways.

The protest attracted a diverse range of supporters, including the National Federation of Women's Institutes and the GMB union. Sarah Walsh, an open-water swimming coach from Cornwall, said that pollution in the sea "affects my livelihood directly." Katherine Keyte, a member of a cold water swim group from Poole and Bournemouth, felt strongly about the issue, stating that she had "never marched before."

The underlying cause of the problem has been attributed to a failing regulatory system that has not effectively enforced the law or held polluters accountable. Charles Watson, the founder and director of the charity River Action and the lead organiser of the march, emphasised that the laws must be enforced and that the bodies tasked with doing so need to be reformed and properly funded. Steve Reed, the environment, food, and rural affairs secretary, acknowledged the "pollution scandal" and introduced new laws banning the payment of "unfair bonuses to polluting water bosses."

Water pollution protests have also taken place in other parts of the world, including Thailand, Romania, Turkey, Cameroon, and Indonesia, where activists have demanded that their respective governments take urgent steps to combat air pollution and transition to renewable energy sources. Environmental protests have also been held in Europe and beyond, with activists calling for more resolute government action on issues relating to the protection of nature, the environment, health, and climate change.

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