London Mayor Sadiq Khan reflects on the success of the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) following a new Queen Mary University study showing significant improvements in children's lung health and air quality across the capital.
The Trump administration's EPA is considering a rule change to transfer public participation decisions for minor air pollution permits to states, potentially reducing public notice for new facilities like data centers. This rollback could impact communities' ability to slow development and be informed about polluting projects.
Analysis of NHS England data reveals children in England's most deprived areas are 40% more likely to be hospitalized for respiratory infections, with experts linking it to air pollution, poor housing, and systemic inequalities, urging government action.
NHS England data shows children in England's most deprived areas are 40% more likely to be hospitalized for respiratory infections. Experts from Impact on Urban Health and UCL link this to air pollution, poor housing, and systemic inequalities, urging government action on the Clean Air Act.
The Trump administration announced a $700m package to revive the US coal industry, including $75m for a controversial Oakland coal terminal. This move reignites a decade-long conflict with local residents and environmental groups in Oakland concerned about health impacts.
A University at Buffalo study found that wildfire smoke from Canada's record seasons reduced bird sightings in New York State during breeding seasons (2021-2023). Researchers suggest birds changed behavior, becoming harder to spot, rather than declining in numbers, highlighting an overlooked impact on wildlife monitoring.
A new IQAir report reveals global air pollution in 2021 exceeded WHO guidelines in every country and 97% of cities, with only 222 cities meeting standards. India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh were among the worst-affected, while US pollution spiked due to fossil fuels and wildfires.
The Salton Sea in California is rapidly shrinking, exposing a dry lakebed that generates harmful dust storms. These storms, carrying dust and toxic chemicals, exacerbate respiratory illnesses like asthma, particularly in children, and pose significant health risks to the half-million residents of the Coachella Valley.
The Yale Environmental Performance Index ranks Estonia first for its environmental efforts, followed by Luxembourg and the UK. While progress is noted in reducing air and water pollution, global action on climate change remains insufficient, with many countries off track for net-zero commitments.
A large fertility study suggests air pollution may harm male fertility by altering sperm gene function. Researchers found subtle DNA changes linked to ozone and nitrogen dioxide exposure during sperm development, affecting gene activity.
A new report by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) quantifies the health benefits of electric vehicle (EV) adoption, estimating that removing internal combustion engines can prevent premature deaths and reduce pediatric asthma cases. The study models various electrification scenarios through 2050, highlighting significant health improvements with ambitious EV adoption, especially for heavy-duty vehicles.
A report by the London School of Economics reveals a global surge in climate litigation targeting datacenters and AI infrastructure. Cases in Chile, Ireland, the US, and the UK challenge their significant energy and water consumption, and air pollution, pushing for renewable energy use and better environmental impact assessments.
Deaths linked to air pollution in London have fallen by an estimated 40% between 2019 and 2024, according to new analysis from Imperial College London. Toxic air pollution levels have also decreased significantly, with nitrogen dioxide down 41% and fine particulate pollution down 28%.
Air pollution kills over 8 million people annually, yet receives little media attention. Cities like London and New York are proving that data-driven solutions can drastically reduce pollution levels, offering a roadmap for global action.
台灣一項長達23年的研究顯示，空氣污染是預測心血管急症的更強指標，特別是含氮分子。研究指出，老年人和北部居民對環境變化最為敏感。
A Danish study of nearly half a million pregnancies suggests that bending forward and walking extensively at work in early pregnancy may increase miscarriage risk. Each extra hour of forward bending was linked to a 36% higher risk, and each hour of walking to an 18% higher risk.
A new UN report reveals that approximately 392 million children in India (92% of 0-18 year olds) face extreme heat, with 89 million exposed to heatwaves. The report highlights the vulnerability of young children to increasing heatwave severity and calls for child-specific measures in Heat Action Plans.
Analysis of health records shows emergency hospital admissions in central London decreased by 3% per year after the introduction of the T-charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez), with significant reductions in heart and breathing problem admissions.
Uttar Pradesh aims to reduce NCR air pollution by 30-35% by 2026 with a 'No PUCC, No Fuel' policy and support for replacing older trucks/buses with cleaner models.
Thailand's parliament has advanced the Clean Air Act, aiming to establish clean air as a public right and create a coordinated national framework for pollution control. The bill introduces fees for major emitters and seeks to trace supply chains, addressing the country's severe seasonal smog crisis.
A new report highlights Clacton-on-Sea as the worst in England for equal access to trees, with 98.2% of residents in areas of critically low tree cover, exacerbating air pollution, health issues, and heat exposure, amidst a noted north-south divide in tree equity across the UK.
Families turn to dirty fuels such as firewood, bringing fears over air pollution and fragility of energy transitionIn the ramshackle lanes of a south Delhi slum, Afshana Khatoon crouched wearily on her haunches and began lighting a small pile of firewood.She had only just returned from six hours spent trudging through the urban forests and dry parks of India’s capital looking for kindling to turn into a makeshift stove. As the unforgiving summer heat soared above 40C, she had walked for miles, piling the sticks and fallen branches into a bundle on her head while sweat ran down her face. Continue reading...
Northern Thailand faces public health crisis as dry season wildfires blanket provinces with toxic PM2.5 pollution. Over 600 fire hotspots recorded, with hospitals seeing surge in respiratory illness patients. Senator demands government action as air quality remains at critical levels for over two months.
