Reducing Air Pollution: Benefits of Phasing Out Fossil Fuels

2024-01-02 18:15:00

Air pollution from the use of fossil fuels in industry, energy production and transport is responsible for an additional 5.1 million deaths per year worldwide, according to a new study published by The BMJ. This study highlights the critical importance of replacing fossil fuels with clean, renewable energy sources.

Ambient air pollution is the leading environmental risk factor for illness and death. Few global studies have attributed deaths to specific sources of air pollution, and their results differ widely.

An international team of researchers used a new model to estimate all-cause and cause-specific deaths from fossil fuel-related air pollution and to assess the potential health benefits of policies that replace fossil fuels with sources clean and renewable energy.

The results of the study

The results show that in 2019, 8.3 million deaths worldwide were attributable to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) in ambient air, of which 61% (5.1 million) were linked to fossil fuels. This corresponds to 82% of the maximum number of air pollution deaths that could be avoided by controlling all anthropogenic emissions.

Deaths attributable to all sources of ambient air pollution were highest in South and East Asia, particularly in China at 2.44 million per year, followed by India at 2.18 million per year.

COP28: A turning point for global health and energy

Upcoming COP28 climate change negotiations in the United Arab Emiratesprovide an opportunity to make substantial progress toward phasing out fossil fuels. Health benefits should be high on the agenda“, they conclude.

Phasing out fossil fuels could save millions of lives, Finnish and Norwegian researchers say in a joint editorial.

Deaths are only part of the problem, they note. “Improving air quality would reduce the burden of several major diseases, resulting in healthier and longer lives, fewer patients requiring hospitalization and other treatments, and reduced burden on health systems worldwide.“

They acknowledge that clean, renewable energy sources are needed to replace fossil fuels, but say the effects of switching to alternative technologies need to be studied in further research.

Synthetic

Removing fossil fuels would result in the largest absolute reductions in attributable deaths in South, Southeast and East Asia, around 3.85 million per year, or 80-85% of potentially preventable deaths in all countries. anthropogenic sources of ambient air pollution in these regions.

In high-income countries (which rely heavily on fossil fuels), around 460,000 deaths per year could potentially be avoided by phasing out fossil fuels, accounting for around 90% of potentially avoidable deaths from all anthropogenic sources of pollution. Ambiant air.

For a better understanding

What is ambient air pollution?

Ambient air pollution is outdoor air pollution, often caused by industrial emissions, motor vehicles, and the combustion of fossil fuels.

What are the effects of air pollution on health?

Air pollution can cause or worsen many diseases, including heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes.

What are fine particles (PM2.5)?

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are tiny particles or droplets in the air that are two and a half times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. They can be inhaled and cause serious health problems.

What is ozone (O3)?

Ozone is a gas that forms when sunlight hits air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. It can cause or worsen many respiratory illnesses.

What are the benefits of replacing fossil fuels with clean, renewable energy sources?

Replacing fossil fuels with clean, renewable energy sources can reduce air pollution, improve public health, and help mitigate climate change.