$8 billion per day: cost of air pollution

Yes! This is the global economic cost of air pollution from the continued burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.

Greenpeace Southeast Asia and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) have quantified the global cost of air pollution from fossil fuels, finding that it has reached an estimated US$8 billion per day, or 3.3% of the world’s GDP. The economic cost of air pollution reflects pollution concentrations, population size and the availability and cost of healthcare.

The report —Toxic air: The price of fossil fuels — found that the China Mainland, the United States and India bear the highest costs from fossil fuel air pollution worldwide, at an estimated US$900 billion, US$600 billion and US$150 billion per year, respectively.

Toxic air: The price of fossil fuels uses the most recent evidence and data on pollution levels, health effects and demographics to quantify the effects of air pollution on global and regional levels. it assesses the impacts on global health and the economic cost of air pollution from the continued burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. And the analysis includes an estimate of the financial cost of the health burden on the global economy.

Today, air pollution is a major health threat to children, particularly in low income countries. As per reports, worldwide an estimated 40,000 children die before their fifth birthday because of exposure to air pollution. 

However, while toxic air pollution is a global threat, the solutions are increasingly available which are also the solutions to climate change. Using case studies, the report shows that the phase out of fossil fuels will have the co-benefit of mitigating climate change and reversing some of the most pressing global health problems.

The report suggests that clean transport and renewable energy not only bring significant reductions in toxic pollutants, but also help to keep climate change-causing greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere. 

moreover, a phase out of existing coal, oil and gas infrastructure brings major health benefits due to the associated reduction in air pollution. To reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions effective public transport systems and good walking and cycling infrastructure should be practiced. The transition to renewable energy is essential both to prevent catastrophic climate change and to protect our health.

This is possible, we can’t afford to delay any longer. It’s a climate emergency!

(Sources)