While New York grapples with the suffocating effects of smog, these cities are accustomed to it as a routine occurrence.
Description: Explore the ongoing battle against air pollution as cities like New York, Beijing, and others face unique challenges. Despite progress and successful initiatives, experts warn of future obstacles due to climate change and the increasing frequency of wildfires. Discover the impact of air pollution, the efforts to combat it, and the urgent need for global action.
The United States has been captivated by the striking images of New York enveloped in smoke, as residents grapple with the unfamiliar challenge of severe air pollution.
The smoke, originating from wildfires in Canada, has compelled authorities to issue air quality alerts along the East Coast. As a result, people have once again started wearing N95 face masks, a precautionary measure that had largely been abandoned since the pandemic. On social media, individuals are sharing photos of the "apocalyptic" scene and providing advice on how to minimize health risks.
While these sights are uncommon in the United States outside of West Coast states like California, where annual wildfires are prevalent, they are a regular occurrence in distant regions. In many major cities across Asia, battling smog has long been an ongoing struggle. The intense air pollution caused by noxious smoke, gases, and industrial chemicals shrouds these cities throughout the year. Unfortunately, as the climate crisis intensifies, such severe air pollution could become increasingly commonplace worldwide.
According to the IQAir monitoring network, India had six out of the ten most polluted cities in the world last year. Researchers have estimated that the detrimental air quality could potentially reduce the life expectancy of hundreds of millions of Indians by up to nine years. In 2019 alone, it is believed that air pollution was responsible for nearly 1.6 million deaths in the country.
The capital city, New Delhi, is frequently enveloped in smog due to various contributing factors such as vehicle emissions, coal-fired power plants, and the annual practice of burning agricultural fields before the next crop is planted.
Consequently, the residents of New Delhi are exposed to elevated levels of fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, which serves as a widely recognized indicator of harmful air pollution. This minute pollutant poses significant dangers as it can penetrate deep into lung tissue, enter the bloodstream, and has been linked to various health issues including asthma and heart disease.
The presence of PM2.5 stems from sources like the combustion of fossil fuels, dust storms, and even wildfires, which explains the current contamination affecting New York City.
On Wednesday afternoon, the PM2.5 levels in New York City reached a peak measurement of 303.3 micrograms per cubic meter. To provide context, the World Health Organization recommends an average annual limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter. In comparison, London recorded a measurement of 9.4 micrograms per cubic meter, and Hong Kong measured 21 micrograms per cubic meter on the same day, both well within the "good" range defined by IQAir.
Many countries in Southeast Asia have also become accustomed to the disruptions caused by air pollution, particularly during the annual stubble-burning season. This season involves farmers setting fire to the straw stubble left behind after grain harvesting.
In 2019, the air quality deteriorated to such an extent in Malaysia that numerous students fell ill and experienced vomiting. This situation led to the closure of over 400 schools across the country.
A few months later, Malaysia was once again engulfed by a thick haze originating from extensive forest fires in neighboring Indonesia. These fires were allegedly set to clear land for various industries such as paper and palm oil production.
In a more recent occurrence, the northern city of Chiang Mai in Thailand claimed the undesirable distinction of being the world's most polluted city for a consecutive week in April. This was primarily attributed to the smoke generated from forest fires and the burning of crops in other parts of the region. As a result, a significant number of individuals sought medical assistance for respiratory problems, including asthma and difficulty breathing. The situation became so severe that one hospital reported overcrowded wards and had to reject some patients due to the lack of available space.
However, if there's one city that stands out both for its notorious pollution and successful efforts to combat it, it would be Beijing.
For a significant period, the residents of the Chinese capital had to endure the unpleasant and noxious air on a daily basis. The situation reached its peak during the infamous "air-pocalypse" of 2013 when the air quality index soared to 755, surpassing the maximum level of 500 that was originally deemed the highest on the scale. This data was reported by the US Embassy in Beijing, which maintained a daily air quality monitor. The unprecedented severity of the air pollution forced residents to confine themselves indoors, wear filtered face masks, and rely on high-powered air purifiers.
The event garnered global media attention and pushed the issue of air pollution into the mainstream consciousness in China. Shortly afterward, the country launched an extensive anti-pollution campaign. This campaign involved the closure of coal mines and coal-fired power plants, the establishment of nationwide air monitoring stations, and the implementation of new regulations.
While challenges still persist – China has witnessed a resurgence in coal consumption in recent years, with a rapid increase in the construction of new coal power plants, even as many other countries are shifting towards renewable energy – the improvements in Beijing's air quality are undeniable. In 2021, the city recorded its best monthly air quality since records began in 2013. Current photographs of Beijing showcase predominantly blue skies, indicating a positive shift in the air quality of the city.
The progress seen in improving air quality is certainly encouraging, demonstrating that the right policies and investments can make a difference. However, scientists and experts caution that there are looming challenges ahead, which even cities with typically good air quality like New York cannot evade.
One of the key factors contributing to these challenges is human-caused climate change, which has exacerbated the conditions of heat and dryness that facilitate the ignition and spread of wildfires. Recently, scientists revealed that millions of acres ravaged by wildfires in the western United States and Canada, an area approximately the size of South Carolina, could be attributed to carbon pollution generated by major fossil fuel and cement companies.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged "the devastating impacts of climate change" in a statement following discussions with US President Joe Biden regarding efforts to extinguish the Quebec fires.
The sight of the United Nations building in New York barely visible due to the orange smog serves as a stark reminder of how world leaders have failed to effectively address the climate crisis, as highlighted in a tweet by scientist and climate advocate Lucky Tran. Tran further emphasized that the impact of climate change is being experienced firsthand by the residents of New York and the East Coast.
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