The pressure for countries and businesses to reduce air pollution is rising

2016 began as a landmark year in the fight against climate change and its effects on the environment and air quality. As we approach the end of the hottest year on record (quite literally), 197 countries have brought themselves to signing the Paris Agreement.

Considered a first of many steps, the ratification of this agreement by signatories comes at a time when experts and the general public are exerting pressure on lawmakers to change the ways our economies and cities are growing as the human health stakes are rising. Simply put, air pollution and its complications are responsible for more premature deaths globally than HIV/AIDS and malaria combined.

Recognizing that, the global efforts to reduce air pollution and offset climate change saw a major milestone achieved this September when the leaders of the world’s two largest economies, President Obama of the United States and President Xi Jinping of China, formally committed to the Paris climate agreement with the US indicating that it would cut its greenhouse emissions by up to 28% by 2025, and China guaranteeing that its emissions will peak in 2030.

What’s the real reason behind the decision? Pollution is bad for the economy! A World Bank study, which focused specifically on the economic costs of pollution on the global economy, found that the costs are $225 billion (£169 billion) in lost work days globally, an estimate that rises to $5 trillion (£3.78 trillion) when you factor in welfare costs. At the individual country-level, China lost nearly 10% of its GDP in pollution related costs.

In China specifically, 76% of people agree that it is a big or very big problem. In the UK, the public was outraged after data revealed that it is linked to the early deaths of 40,000 Britons.

Are we there yet?

The US-China ratification however, only represents a first step. While these two nations alone represent just over 38% of global emissions, for the agreement to be adopted at least 55 countries, accounting for 55% of total global greenhouse gas emissions needed to ratify it, with a deadline of January 2017.

Although at first only ratified by small island nations like Seychelles and the Bahamas, since the start of the summer countries as diverse as Peru, Cameroon, Norway, Somalia and Palestine have ratified the agreement.

The 55% threshold was reached on October 5, 2016 – currently there are 197 signatories, of whom 110 have ratified – and the Paris Agreement will enter into force on November 4, 2016.

The social, health and environmental pressures we are currently seeing, and attribute at least in part to climate change, are having their effects. While the Paris Agreement focuses on carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, efforts to achieve the aims set out in the accord will also have a knock on effect on other pollutants like nitrogen oxides produced – in smaller quantities, but that are often more harmful (both environmentally and from a human health perspective) – during the combustion of fossil fuels.

It’s a no-brainer!

A recent health study found that air pollution could have adverse effects on the human brain.

This comes after the Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences published a research paper which examined the brain tissues of 37 individuals living in Manchester and Mexico City. The particles examined were not shaped like the natural occurring magnetite but instead have the precise form of magnetite found in fossil fuel-burning processes, such as in industrial power plants or car exhaust pipes.

The findings are particularly alarming as magnetite particles in the brain have been indirectly linked to a range of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s. This exposes a previously unknown consequence of air pollution and the environmental risk factor it may represent for brain diseases.

All this means that it may be time to think clearly about the dangers of air pollution. How can we collectively do our part – at the country, business and individual levels – to minimize air pollution and mitigate its impact?

Cristal’s answer is a suite of  CristalACTiV™ air pollution-eating products used in building materials, paint and coatings.

What’s yours?