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– 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021 were linked to air pollution. – South Asia’s GDP is losing more than 10% annually due to air pollution. – Children are particularly vulnerable, facing life-long consequences. – NASA has captured images of the smog from space, confirming the severity of the issue.
The Indo-Gangetic Plain and Himalayan Foothills (IGP-HF) region airshed includes some of the world’s most polluted countries.
Hundreds of millions of people in this region are exposed to hazardous air. Last November the Air Quality Index in cities in Pakistan crossed 1,000+ and in Delhi, India hit 450+, closing schools and causing disruption to flights.
Air pollution in South Asia has risen more than 50% since the start of this century. The average lifespan in South Asia is cut short by five years.
What does this mean for our health, our economies, and our future?
We brought together leading experts to delve into the heart of this crisis. In a series of compelling videos, they unpack the complex realities of air pollution in South Asia, exploring its devastating impacts and potential solutions.
Featured Experts:
Om Kurmi, Associate Professor, Coventry University, UK Ajay Pillarisetti, Associate Professor, University of California, Berkeley, USA Narayan Babu Dhital, Assistant Professor, Tribhuvan University, Nepal Jill Baumgartner, Professor, McGill University, Canada Pallavi Pant, Head of Global Health, Health Effects Institute, USA Tenzing Wangchuk, Registrar, Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law, Bhutan Sagnik Dey, Professor, Centre for Atmospheric Science, IIT Delhi, India Michal Krzyzanowski, Visiting Professor, Imperial College London, UK Bertrand Bessagnet, Air Lead, ICIMOD, Nepal
“The most important thing is that it kills us. It is killing people” – Narayan Babu Dhital
“People who are the poorest are also the ones experiencing the highest level of air pollution.” – Jill Baumgartner
“We see over 20% of neo-natal deaths within the first year of life due to exposure to air pollution during pregnancy” – Pallavi Pant
“Air pollution and Climate are opposite sides of the same coin.” – Sagnik Dey
“There just needs to be a huge effort to just start getting PM 2.5 down across the city” – Jill Baumgartner
China offers a powerful example of how rapid, large-scale action can drastically reduce air pollution.
Millions across South Asia still depends on solid biomass like wood, coal, and crop residues for cooking and heating.
Many believe air quality improvement efforts hinder economic growth, but experts disagree.
