Almost all of the world's population (99%) breathe polluted and unhealthy air according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which calls for reducing the use of fossil fuels.
Seven million “preventable” deaths
These conclusions are the result of a combination of satellite images from around the world and data collected by thousands of cities, explained to the media Dr Sophie Gumy, from the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health of the WHO.
In a report, the WHO says a record number of more than 6,000 urban areas in 117 countries are now monitoring air quality.
This represents "about 80% of the world's urban population to date," said Sophie Gumy.
Pre-Covid-19 measures
“After surviving a pandemic, it is unacceptable to continue to record seven million preventable deaths and countless avoidable lost healthy years due to air pollution,” laments Dr. Maria Neira, Director of the Department WHO environment, climate change and health.
Most of the measurements mentioned in the report were carried out between 2010 and 2019, i.e. before the Covid-19 pandemic which had an impact on transport and many polluting economic and industrial sectors.
For the WHO, the findings of the report highlight the importance of reducing the use of fossil fuels and adopting other concrete measures to bring down levels of air pollution.
reindeer
Rennes: What solutions to reduce air pollution?
Planet
Côtes-d'Armor: Ecologists deplore air activity during the fine particle alert
Planet
Covid-19
Pollution
Air pollution
WHO