2021 was a telling year for the global population to be affected by pollution in a big way. From this class, we have learned that emissions can move around from place to place causing unimaginable damage to environments and wildlife, these are all givens and truths we must deal with. Yet the question after this has to be asked: "What about us?" "What about us who want to know what is going on with reasons of climate change as well as pollution?" Well, here are some uncomfortable truths,
In 2021 alone 8.1 million people died from ONLY Air pollution that came from various sources from all over the planet. This makes air pollution more of a threat to humans than bad diet and tobacco use, the second leading factor of death. Where is the pollution coming from in the first place? Since we know that pollution has globally taken out millions we must track where it could have come from. For Co2 the top 4 countries in 2021 that are the cause are China, the United States, India, and Australia. Of course, they are not the only ones but they are the biggest when it comes to CO2. CO2 is NOT the only pollutant that has done major damage, Carbon Monoxide is also a huge problem that needs fixing in a big way. In 2021 the countries with the most Carbon Monoxide emissions are China, the USA, India, Russia, and Japan.
The global Burden of Disease study from 2021 shows the severe health impacts pollutants like outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5), household air pollution, ozone (O3), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are having on human health around the world. More than 90 percent of these global air pollution deaths – 7.8 million people – are attributed to PM2.5 air pollution, including from ambient PM2.5 and household air pollution. According to the report, PM2.5 is the most consistent and accurate predictor of poor health outcomes around the world.
The next question is, How are we going the change this when we have an administration that seems to want to keep on doing exactly what is wrong and ignore what people are going through with health issues and global warming (CO2 and Carbon Monoxide are major reasons for it as well) and focus on the money which (somehow) puts blinders on to the big major companies who are benefiting off of the evil and pain (eventually death of innocent people in the USA or not) that will continue even in today's time
www.unicef.org
www.wri.org/insights/interactive-chart-shows-changes-worlds-top-10-emitters
www.epa.gov/air-trends/carbon-monoxide-trends
www.epa.gov/air-trends/carbon-monoxide-trends
When we talk about burning fossil fuels we often leave out the huge health implications it has on us. Air quality is key to having a health environment around you. Great post.
ReplyDeleteThis post was very eye opening, highlighting some of the most unnerving aspects to climate change. One of the scariest thing is losing your life to something invisible like the atmosphere and heat. Silently so much of the world is dying to the mistakes of the past generations. In many ways this perpetual cycle of damage can only get worse before it gets better as we witness the delayed reactions to our carbon emissions. If this doesn't slow down as soon as possible I have little hope and it scares me.
ReplyDelete8.1 million people dead from air pollution is mind blowing. I think death in general is a remarkably interesting and scary thing but to think that 8.1 million people lost their lives due to something that us humans caused is insanely sad.
ReplyDeleteWow, I never knew 8.1 million people died in 2023 from air pollution alone. The discussion on how major contributors such as China, the USA, India, and others are central to this problem. This is definitely a blog post that calls for action.
ReplyDeleteI was extremely excited to read this post because I have done a few research projects on PM 2.5 and am so happy someone is discussing the devastating effects of these tiny particles. They are so small we can't see them, so we don't think about it, but that is exactly why we should be. They are so small they bypass any systems our bodies have to protect us from pollutants and enter directly into our bloodstream. That number of casualties in one year alone is heartbreaking, thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis was very scary to read about, and hearing how many people die from air pollution alone is so terrifying to even think about. We are legit positioning our own bodies with our pollution. It's shocking to think how we don't have more coverage on this.
ReplyDeleteThe staggering 8.1 million deaths attributed to air pollution in 2021 highlight the urgent need for systemic change, as current administrations often prioritize economic interests over public health and environmental sustainability, allowing major polluters to continue their harmful practices unchecked.
ReplyDeleteI always find these different air pollutants so terrifying. It feels so inescapable. The anxious side of myself cannot help but imagine how many years of our lives we lose without even knowing it, this invisible siphoning of our survival.
ReplyDeletePollution is not only destroying our planet but it is destroying our bodies as well, I appreciate the detail you went into and the urgency you carry while discussing this unfortunate but true reality that air pollution is quickly becoming a mass killer- and with continued warming alongside constant emissions these air-pollution caused deaths will only increase in number.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! The impact of air pollution on human health is shocking, especially with 8.1 million deaths in 2021 alone. With major polluters like CO2 and carbon monoxide still rising, do you think stricter regulations on industries could help reduce these numbers? Also, how can governments balance economic interests while prioritizing public health and environmental protection?
ReplyDeletePeople turn a blind eye to things like this because it is chalked up to "thats just how things are" but it does not have to be this way. People do not realize how good we could have it if we all cared.
ReplyDeleteAnother glaring issue with these pollution based deaths is that low income people - especially people of color in the united states - are disproportionately affected by this more.
ReplyDeleteIt's terrible that people have to live in areas where they could be terrified to go outside because the quality is so bad, and they aren't fixing it and don't really care about how many people are being affected by this. Very heartbreaking!
ReplyDeleteAnd this most dangerous particulate pollution? Its source is burning fossil fuels!
ReplyDeleteThis is so scary. If the change in our environment isn't enough, the pile up of deaths is so alarming. This was a great post, and I think you did a great job at expressing how serious our situation is becoming.
ReplyDelete8.1 million deaths is such a horrific statistic, I am shocked that I have not heard about the shear number of destruction air pollution has caused in popular media outlets. The US needs to step and take responsibility for the damage they have caused.
ReplyDelete8.1 million deaths from climate change in one year is a very scary statistic. Unfortunately, the number might be higher next year.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lot of death from something so essential to all life on Earth. I didn't realize air pollution was so impactful to humans.
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