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Today is #WorldEnvironmentDay and this year's theme is air pollution, which causes over 7 million premature deaths each year. It's time to stop #BeatAirPollution for our health, the environment and the climate.
Thread
(It's a long one, but worth it.) https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/
Thread
(It's a long one, but worth it.) https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/
91% of the world's population live in places exceeding WHO air quality guidelines. Ambient (outside) and household air pollution causes severe and deadly health complications such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1136251918123225091
The major contributor to air pollution is the combustion of fossil fuels and bio fuels for power, transport and cooking. 4.2 million die from ambient air pollution while 3.8 million die from exposure to household air pollution in developing countries. https://www.who.int/airpollution/en/
While air pollution affects everyone, rich as well as poor, it disproportionately affects poor and marginalised people with more than 91% of ambient air pollution deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries. https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health
But air pollution in major western cities is also severe, with some estimates saying that urban pollution in cities like London carries a higher health risk than Chernobyl.
Rich developed countries are not immune to the health effects of air pollution. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2007/apr/03/uknews.pollution
Rich developed countries are not immune to the health effects of air pollution. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2007/apr/03/uknews.pollution
In the EU, 400 000 die each year from exposure to air pollution. But new research indicates that twice that number, 800 000 deaths could be linked to air pollution each year.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/12/air-pollution-deaths-are-double-previous-estimates-finds-research https://twitter.com/EU_ENV/status/1136175312100872193
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/12/air-pollution-deaths-are-double-previous-estimates-finds-research https://twitter.com/EU_ENV/status/1136175312100872193
Except for the previously discovered and deadly health effects, air pollution is now increasingly linked to other effects like dementia, heart and lung disease, fertility problems and reduced intelligence as @FIRS_LungsFirst establish in @guardianeco. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2019/may/17/air-pollution-may-be-damaging-every-organ-and-cell-in-the-body-finds-global-review
In some developing countries, air pollution is especially severe.
I write about the work of @paleyphoto and @Gardiner_Beth in @NatGeo in another thread https://twitter.com/simonwakter/status/1124224699595218945
I write about the work of @paleyphoto and @Gardiner_Beth in @NatGeo in another thread
https://twitter.com/simonwakter/status/1124224699595218945
Instead of chastising developing countries for becoming developed nations we must enable them not to repeat our own mistakes.
Some countries successfully rid themselves of their fossil fuel dependency in power generation during the 70's and 80's. https://twitter.com/countcarbon/status/1113764431467511813
Some countries successfully rid themselves of their fossil fuel dependency in power generation during the 70's and 80's. https://twitter.com/countcarbon/status/1113764431467511813
As the world's energy and power mix remains largely unchanged and dependent on fossil fuels it becomes increasingly important to realise the urgency of the problem.
The problem is the black, fossil fuel part of the chart. The challenge is getting rid of it!
The problem is the black, fossil fuel part of the chart. The challenge is getting rid of it!
(bonus animated graph #1) https://twitter.com/countcarbon/status/1112403935569104897
(Bonus animated graph #2) https://twitter.com/countcarbon/status/1112430555021434882
New projects like @electricityMap now let you see emissions from power generation, live from all over the world. https://twitter.com/electricityMap/status/1076517562819772418?s=20
National and international organisations also provide maps for air pollution, like this one from @WHO
http://maps.who.int/airpollution/
http://maps.who.int/airpollution/
Modelling from @sandbagorguk tracks air pollution and emissions from every coal power plant in Europe. https://twitter.com/sandbagorguk/status/1064764230749036549
The whole report on how coal is making Europe sick is worth a read. It's written by @dave0dave0 and @sandbagorguk. https://sandbag.org.uk/project/lastgasp/
As countries like Germany struggle with meeting the climate goals, the report provides further evidence that a fossil fuel phase out is urgent, not only because of climate change but also because of the considerable effect it has on human health right now.
Quote:
Quote:
"Four of the ten most toxic companies have their main coal plants in Germany: RWE, EPH, Uniper and Steag. This is no coincidence: Germany burns more coal than any other country in Europe, and has done little to reduce air pollution from its coal plants in the last decade."
Chancellor Merkel on Thursday urged the world to do “everything humanly possible” to combat climate change and pledged to do her part.
That is of course, everything except for keeping the nuclear power plants open. https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/merkel-in-harvard-world-must-do-all-humanly-possible-on-climate-change/
That is of course, everything except for keeping the nuclear power plants open. https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/merkel-in-harvard-world-must-do-all-humanly-possible-on-climate-change/
Leaving Germany and EU to instead look to the whole world we see that, despite progress, 840 million people still lack access to electricity.
Together with an increasing need to displace fossil energy in industry and transport, this poses a massive challenge.
Together with an increasing need to displace fossil energy in industry and transport, this poses a massive challenge.
With a premature death from air pollution every five seconds we have no time to spare but must limit emissions and pollution right now!
http://www.un.org.vn/en/media-releases3/69-un-press-releases/5156-with-a-premature-death-every-five-seconds,-air-pollution-is-violation-of-human-rights,-says-un-expert.html
http://www.un.org.vn/en/media-releases3/69-un-press-releases/5156-with-a-premature-death-every-five-seconds,-air-pollution-is-violation-of-human-rights,-says-un-expert.html
To limit air pollution and emissions right now, you too can take action - by being informed on the issues (and possible solutions) and by taking direct action yourself.
Here are some tips
Here are some tips
Educate yourself and others on why you should care about air pollution:https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/five-reasons-you-should-care-about-air-pollution
Contact your policymakers to voice your concerns, whether those are your members of parliament, members of the EU parliament, congress representative or other representatives. Influence companies and politicians to join the #BreatheLife initiative https://breathelife2030.org/
Limit your emissions in daily life by opting for less polluting transportation (like bus/train/bike/walk), shopping less or second hand, eat less meat/dairy and save energy at home. More information:
https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/get-involved/world-environment-day-mask-challenge
Finally, raise your voice! It is unacceptable that millions have to die prematurely or suffer severe health effects from air pollution each year. Talk to others about the problem to influence them to learn and to help contribute themselves.
Thank you for your time
