{"id":679,"date":"2019-03-05T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-04T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/master.k8s.p4.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/press\/679\/latest-air-pollution-data-ranks-worlds-cities-worst-to-best\/"},"modified":"2024-05-28T15:00:14","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T08:00:14","slug":"latest-air-pollution-data-ranks-worlds-cities-worst-to-best","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/press\/679\/latest-air-pollution-data-ranks-worlds-cities-worst-to-best\/","title":{"rendered":"Latest air pollution data ranks world\u2019s cities worst to best"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"leader\">Jakarta, Indonesia, 5 March 2019 -Air pollution will take an estimated seven million lives globally in the next year, while costing the world\u2019s economy nearly 225 billion USD. [1] [2] The latest data compiled in the IQAir AirVisual 2018 World Air Quality Report and interactive World\u2019s most polluted cities ranking, prepared in collaboration with Greenpeace Southeast Asia, reveals the state of particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in 2018. It highlights a widespread but unequal distribution of PM2.5 pollution and limited access to public information. [3] [4] [5]<\/div>\n<div>Executive Director of Greenpeace South East Asia, Yeb Sano, said:<br \/>\n\u201cAir pollution steals our livelihoods and our futures, but we can change that. In addition to human lives lost, there\u2019s an estimated global cost of 225 billion dollars in lost labour, and trillions in medical costs. this has enormous impacts, on our health and on our wallets. We want this report to make people think about the air we breathe, because when we understand the impacts of air quality on our lives, we will act to protect what\u2019s most important.\u201dFrank Hammes, IQAir CEO, said:<br \/>\n\u201cThe 2018 World Air Quality Report is based on the review, compilation and validation of data from tens of thousands of air quality monitoring stations around the world. Now everyone with a cellphone has free access to this data via the AirVisual platform. This has also created demand for air quality monitoring in cities or regions where no public data is available. Communities and organizations from California to Kabul are supplementing governmental monitoring efforts with their own low cost air quality monitoring networks, and are giving everyone access to more hyper-local information.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Findings from the report include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">In South Asia: out of 20 most polluted cities in the world, 18 are in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. This includes previously unseen data from Pakistan\u2019s first public monitoring network of sensors. [6]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">In Southeast Asia: Jakarta and Hanoi are Southeast Asia\u2019s two most polluted cities. With Beijing\u2019s air quality getting better, Jakarta risks overtaking China\u2019s famously polluted capital soon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">In China: average concentrations in the cities in China fell by 12% from 2017 to 2018. Beijing ranks now as the 122nd most polluted city in the world in 2018.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">In the Western Balkans: 10 cities in the Western Balkans \u2013 Bosnia Herzegovina, Macedonia and Kosovo \u2013 and four in Turkey have PM2.5 levels more than 3 times the WHO guidelines. 8 cities in the Balkans are among the world\u2019s most polluted 10%, out of all the cities with data.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">In U.S. and Canada: While average air quality is good in global comparison, historic wildfires had a dramatic impact on air quality in August and November, with 5 out of 10 most polluted cities in the world during August found in North America.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">Massive populations, including on continental Africa and South America, do not have adequate air quality measuring infrastructure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Climate change is making the effects of air pollution worse by changing atmospheric conditions and amplifying forest fires. [7] In addition, the key driver of climate change \u2014 burning fossil fuels \u2014 is also the main driver of air pollution, globally. [8] Therefore tackling climate change will also greatly improve our air quality.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLocal and national governments can help tackle the effects of air pollution by providing adequate monitoring and reporting infrastructure. What is clear is that the common culprit across the globe is the burning of fossil fuels \u2014 coal, oil and gas \u2014 worsened by the cutting down our forests. What we need to see is our leaders thinking seriously about our health and the climate by looking at a fair transition out of fossil fuels while telling us clearly the level of our air quality, so that steps can be taken to tackle this health and climate crisis,\u201d added Mr. Sano.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A Media Briefing is available\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-southeastasia-stateless\/2019\/04\/3eba63de-3eba63de-most-up-to-date-data-presents-the-world-air-quality-status-greenpeace-media-briefing.pdf\">HERE<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><br \/>\nIQAir AirVisual 2018 World Air Quality Report\u00a0<a title=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-southeastasia-stateless\/2019\/04\/ddda714b-ddda714b-world-air-quality-report-2018-en.pdf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-southeastasia-stateless\/2019\/04\/ddda714b-ddda714b-world-air-quality-report-2018-en.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>IQAir AirVisual World air pollution interactive ranking\u00a0<a title=\"https:\/\/www.airvisual.com\/world-most-polluted-cities\" href=\"https:\/\/www.airvisual.com\/world-most-polluted-cities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>ENDS<\/p>\n<p>Notes:<\/p>\n<p>[1] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/detail\/02-05-2018-9-out-of-10-people-worldwide-breathe-polluted-air-but-more-countries-are-taking-action\">https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/detail\/02-05-2018-9-out-of-10-people-worldwide-breathe-polluted-air-but-more-countries-are-taking-action<\/a><br \/>\n[2] \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldbank.org\/en\/news\/press-release\/2016\/09\/08\/air-pollution-deaths-cost-global-economy-225-billion\">http:\/\/www.worldbank.org\/en\/news\/press-release\/2016\/09\/08\/air-pollution-deaths-cost-global-economy-225-billion<\/a><br \/>\n[3] Data collected and compiled by IQAir AirVisual.<br \/>\n[4] Air quality ranking measurements are indicative and not absolute.<\/p>\n<p>[5] While the global health impacts of air pollution are dominated by PM2.5, there are other air pollutants like ultrafine particles, nitrogen dioxide and ozone that pose severe health risks. Looking at PM2.5 only does not give a complete picture of air quality and health risks in some regions with relatively low PM2.5 levels.<\/p>\n<p>[6] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.airvisual.com\/air-pollution-information\/blog\/revealing-the-invisible-airvisual-community-activism-ignites-action-to-fight-smog-in-pakistan\">https:\/\/www.airvisual.com\/air-pollution-information\/blog\/revealing-the-invisible-airvisual-community-activism-ignites-action-to-fight-smog-in-pakistan<\/a><br \/>\n[7] Daniel J. Jacob, Darrell A. Winner, Effect of climate change on air quality, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S1352231008008571\">Atmospheric Environment<\/a>, Volume 43, Issue 1, 2009, Pages 51-63, ISSN 1352-2310<\/p>\n<p>[8] WHO factsheet on the connection between air pollution and climate change <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-southeastasia-stateless\/2019\/04\/fda385c6-fda385c6-airpollution_climate_health_factsheet.pdf\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Contacts:<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Asia Pacific<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Tata Mustasya, Greenpeace Southeast Asia Regional Climate and Energy Campaign Coordinator: <a href=\"mailto:tata.mustasya@greenpeace.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">tata.mustasya@greenpeace.org<\/a><a href=\"mailto:tata.mustasya@greenpeace.org\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\"><!-- document.write(dc('Eoi_1', '8D_EA_FF_E2_A3_E8_EE_EC_E8_FD_E3_E8_E8_FF_EA_CD_EC_F4_FE_EC_F9_FE_F8_E0_A3_EC_F9_EC_F9'));\/\/--><\/script><\/a> +62 812 9626997<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Nandikesh Sivalingam, Greenpeace East Asia, Program Manager: \u00a0<a href=\"mailto:nandikesh.sivalingam@greenpeace.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">nandikesh.sivalingam@greenpeace.org<\/a><a href=\"mailto:nandikesh.sivalingam@greenpeace.org\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\"><!-- document.write(dc('Eoi_2', 'B7_D0_C5_D8_99_D2_D4_D6_D2_C7_D9_D2_D2_C5_D0_F7_DA_D6_D0_D9_DE_DB_D6_C1_DE_C4_99_DF_C4_D2_DC_DE_D3_D9_D6_D9'));\/\/--><\/script><\/a> +919686450785<\/p>\n<p><strong>Europe<\/strong><br \/>\nLauri Myllyvirta, Greenpeace Global Air Pollution Unit, Senior Analyst:<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"mailto:lauri.myllyvirta@greenpeace.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">lauri.myllyvirta@greenpeace.org<\/a><a href=\"mailto:lauri.myllyvirta@greenpeace.org\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\"><!-- document.write(dc('Eoi_3', 'B3_D4_C1_DC_9D_D6_D0_D2_D6_C3_DD_D6_D6_C1_D4_F3_D2_C7_C1_DA_C5_CA_DF_DF_CA_DE_9D_DA_C1_C6_D2_DF'));\/\/--><\/script><\/a> +358 50 3625 981<\/p>\n<p><strong>Global<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Greenpeace International Press Desk: <a href=\"mailto:pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org<\/a><a href=\"mailto:pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\"><!-- document.write(dc('Eoi_4', 'D0_B7_A2_BF_FE_B5_B3_B1_B5_A0_BE_B5_B5_A2_B7_90_A4_BE_B9_FE_BB_A3_B5_B4_A3_A3_B5_A2_A0'));\/\/--><\/script><\/a> +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)<\/p>\n<p>For the latest international press releases follow us on twitter @greenpeacepress<br \/>\n<strong>IQAir AirVisual<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Tiffany Allegretti, IQAir Public Relations Manager: <a href=\"mailto:press.int@iqair.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">press.int@iqair.com<\/a><a href=\"mailto:press.int@iqair.com\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\"><!-- document.write(dc('Eoi_5', 'FD_90_92_9E_D3_8F_94_9C_8C_94_BD_89_93_94_D3_8E_8E_98_8F_8D'));\/\/--><\/script><\/a> +1 562-903-7600 ext. 1129<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<section\n\t\t\tclass=\"boxout post-30 \"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-action=\"Image\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"cover-card-overlay\"\n\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/act\/clean-air-now\/\" \n\t\t\t><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-southeastasia-stateless\/2019\/04\/859bd164-gp04n2h.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-southeastasia-stateless\/2019\/04\/859bd164-gp04n2h-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-southeastasia-stateless\/2019\/04\/859bd164-gp04n2h-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-southeastasia-stateless\/2019\/04\/859bd164-gp04n2h.jpg 600w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 358px, (min-width: 780px) 313px, 88px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\" title=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\/>\n            \t\t\t<div class=\"boxout-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"boxout-heading medium\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-action=\"Title\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/act\/clean-air-now\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDemand Clean Air Now\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"boxout-excerpt\">End the air pollution crisis once and for all, because no-one should have to worry about what they breathe. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t                                    <a\n                        class=\"btn btn-primary\"\n                        data-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n                        data-ga-action=\"Call to Action\"\n                        data-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n                        href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/act\/clean-air-now\/\"\n                        \n                    >\n                        Get Involved\n                    <\/a>\n                \t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jakarta, Indonesia, 5 March 2019 -Air pollution will take an estimated seven million lives globally in the next year, while costing the world\u2019s economy nearly 225 billion USD. The latest data compiled in the IQAir AirVisual 2018 World Air Quality Report and interactive World\u2019s most polluted cities ranking, prepared in collaboration with Greenpeace Southeast Asia, reveals the state of particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in 2018. It highlights a widespread but unequal distribution of PM2.5 pollution and limited access to public information. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":1784,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"p4_og_title":"","p4_og_description":"","p4_og_image":"","p4_og_image_id":"","p4_seo_canonical_url":"","p4_campaign_name":"","p4_local_project":"","p4_basket_name":"","p4_department":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[35,32],"tags":[],"p4-page-type":[14],"class_list":["post-679","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-air-pollution","category-energy","p4-page-type-press"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/679","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/44"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=679"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/679\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44994,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/679\/revisions\/44994"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1784"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=679"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=679"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=679"},{"taxonomy":"p4-page-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/southeastasia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/p4-page-type?post=679"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}