PARIS: A staggering 2,000 children die each day due to health issues linked to air pollution, which has now become the second leading risk factor for early death globally, according to a recent report from the US-based Health Effects Institute. In 2021, air pollution contributed to 8.1 million deaths, approximately 12% of all fatalities, surpassing tobacco use and poor diet and trailing only high blood pressure.
Children under five are particularly vulnerable, with over 700,000 deaths attributed to air pollution, as detailed in the institute’s annual State of Global Air report, conducted in partnership with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). More than 500,000 of these deaths were due to indoor cooking with dirty fuels such as coal, wood, or dung, primarily in Africa and Asia.
The report highlighted the profound impact of PM2.5 pollutants, tiny airborne particles that increase the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other health issues. The figures could be underestimations, as the report didn’t fully account for the effects on brain health or the impacts of using solid fuels for heating.
Ozone pollution, exacerbated by climate change, contributed to nearly 500,000 deaths in 2021. Short, intense pollution episodes, like wildfires and dust storms, are becoming more common.
Addressing air pollution and climate change requires similar solutions, especially reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to cleaner cooking methods. Progress in countries like China shows that improvements are possible. Efforts are underway to further reduce deaths, with the International Energy Agency announcing $2.2 billion in pledges to enhance access to safer cooking methods in May.
