World Health Organization: The Facts about Air Pollution
Air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year. WHO (World Health Organisation) data shows that 9 out of 10 people breathe air that exceeds guideline limits for containing high levels of pollutants that they have set, with low- and middle-income countries suffering from the highest exposures. WHO is supporting countries to address air pollution problems.
From smog hanging over cities to smoke inside the home, air pollution poses a major threat to people’s health and can often result in chronic illness and early death. The combined effects of ambient (outdoor) and household (indoor) air pollution cause about seven million premature deaths every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
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Atlantis Viewpoint
As shown by the statistical data available, it is a proven fact that pollution from fossil fuels kills millions every year and causes millions more to develop chronic illnesses. This alone should be enough of an incentive for us to stop using such damaging fuels, let alone the additional problem of climate change.
Ambient pollution from transportation, power generation and industrial processes claim 4.2 million deaths every year. Then household air pollution, which causes another 2.8 million deaths, is one of the leading causes of disease and premature death in the developing world. The exposure to smoke from cooking fires and fuels causes 3.8 million premature deaths each year. The total of these combined deaths reaches approximately 7 million people, with an overlap of some people being exposed to damaging and eventually deadly levels of both ambient and household air pollution.
In addition to this, we know that fuels like coal, gas and oil are running out, they cost millions of dollars to be located, extracted, refined and transported. So, it is astonishing that we are all aware that burning these fuels is already responsible for killing millions of people, it is now also the main culprit for drive climate change, and on top of that are actually very expensive being hugely subsidised by countries.
From our perspective the solution is very clear, policies and investments should have already diverted to focus our time and effort on producing long term, limitless, clean energy, that will improve our air quality, look after our environment and improve life for everyone rich or poor.
