Pollution – a global threat

Record high

According to the Agency’s report ozone and the US national oceans (NOAA), human-caused global warming, particularly through fossil fuel power generation, transportation, cement production or deforestation, is the main engine causing the concentration of CO2 in the air to rise to record highs. In May 2022, the concentration of substances polluted in the atmosphere has exceeded 420ppm. In 2021, this index is 419ppm, in 2020 it is 417ppm.

According to NOAA, during the pre-industrial revolution, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere remained stable at 280ppm for nearly 6,000 years to the end of the year. industrial. Today’s CO2 concentrations correspond to those recorded between 4.1-4.5 million years ago when CO2 concentrations were near or above 400ppm. At that time, sea level was also 5-25cm higher than today, high enough to engulf many large cities.

Global warming has so far caused many serious consequences such as unprecedented heat waves, droughts, wildfires and floods. Scientist Pieter Tans, from the Global Observatory, said that CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere were at all-time highs but not new. Because through research, people have understood for hundreds of years that this will happen but have not taken drastic enough action to prevent it.

In early May, The Lancet magazine published research showing that up to 9 million people die from pollution each year, more than the number of deaths from disease, terrorism and war. Meanwhile, according to epidemiological studies, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and diabetes are often strongly correlated with pollution, of which air pollution is the most serious. Air pollution (both outdoor and indoor) is the primary risk factor, accounting for about 75% of deaths. This increased number means more harmful emissions from vehicles and increasing energy generation. It is worth noting that the increasing number of chronic diseases and premature deaths from toxic chemicals, especially air contaminated with lead, amount to 1.8 million. Exposure to fine dust and NO2 is responsible for 6.7 million premature deaths each year.

Another issue of concern to experts is the economic loss related to deaths from pollution. This can be assessed by the loss of human resources in society. According to the report, compiled by the Lancet Health and Pollution Commission, based on 2015 data, pollution-related economic losses in 2015 were equivalent to 6.2% of world GDP. The economic impact of air pollution is particularly severe in East Asia (10.3% of GDP) and the Pacific (9.3% of GDP).

The researchers called for increased funding for pollution control from governments and donors, as well as a new independent scientific body to assess the problem, modeled by the Commission. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. According to observers, pollution has long been seen as a problem to be solved at the local level with national regulations. But, like global warming, pollution is a global threat and needs an international response.