An annual report on global air quality found that 83 of the world’s 100 most polluted cities in 2022 were in India.
An annual report on global air quality found that 83 of the world’s 100 most polluted cities in 2022 were in India, exceeding WHO guidelines on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by over 10 times. Begusarai, India had the highest pollution at 23 times the guidelines.
The global human population is heavily concentrated in cities, with approximately 56% of the world’s population residing in urban areas, a figure expected to double by 2050. Urbanization presents opportunities for increased productivity and innovation but also brings challenges such as the demand for affordable housing, infrastructure, services, and jobs.
Additionally, cities are at the forefront of combating climate change, facing increased exposure to climate and disaster risks. However, urban expansion often leads to unsustainable sprawl, placing pressure on land and natural resources and contributing to high energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
“We see that in every part of our lives that air pollution has an impact,” IQAir Global CEO Frank Hammes said. “And it typically, in some of the most polluted countries, is likely shaving off anywhere between three to six years of people’s lives. And then before that will lead to many years of suffering that are entirely preventable if there’s better air quality.”
Central and South Asia performed worst overall. While most regions saw increased pollution levels return after pandemic declines, some US cities improved due to less wildfire smoke. China reversed years of pollution reductions, and pollution increased in Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.
“What’s also worrisome in many parts of the world is that the things that are causing outdoor air pollution are also sometimes the things that are causing indoor air pollution,” Hammes said. “So cooking with dirty fuel will create indoor exposures that could be many times what you’re seeing outdoors.”
Africa suffers from a lack of air quality monitoring. The climate crisis plays a “pivotal role” in worsening pollution by altering weather patterns and causing more wildfires and pollen seasons.
“We have such a strong overlap of what’s causing our climate crisis and what’s causing air pollution,” Hammes said. “Anything that we can do to reduce air pollution will be tremendously impactful in the long term also for improving our climate gas emissions, and vice versa.”
“There is so much hidden air pollution still on the planet,” he added. Public pressure is growing for more comprehensive air quality data worldwide.
In the context of urbanization, traffic congestion is a prevalent issue in many cities, leading to economic, environmental, and health consequences.
According to the Traffic Index, Lagos, Nigeria, has been identified as the most traffic-congested city globally, followed by Los Angeles, CA, Colombo, Delhi, and Dhaka.
These cities face mounting congestion due to factors such as high population density, inadequate infrastructure, and limited public transportation, resulting in prolonged commute times and increased CO2 emissions.
The challenges associated with urbanization call for strategic city planning to reduce congestion and promote sustainable urban mobility, emphasizing the need for effective infrastructure, transportation systems, and environmental considerations to ensure the well-being of urban residents.