Earth Day 2017 falls on Saturday, April 22, and one of the core campaigns this year is to promote cities as greener places that co-exist with the environment.
According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is now a greater threat to our health than Ebola or HIV. Currently, 92% of the population lives in places with higher pollution than what's considered healthy. The single largest source of air pollutants is the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and petrol.
Fossil fuels are used for heating, to operate transportation vehicles, in generating electricity, and in manufacturing and other industrial processes. Burning these fuels causes smog, acid rain and greenhouse gas emissions.
The most air polluted countries in the world have higher rates of particulate matter in the air. Particulate matter is especially dangerous because it can get lodged in the lungs and cause long-term health problems like asthma and chronic lung disease.
Related: Inside The Slums Of Illegal E-Waste And Plastic Recycling
When it comes to the air we breathe, who needs to clean up their act the most? Check out this map by Eco2Greetings. How does your country compare?
Rebecca writes about green technology, sustainability, and big ideas. She graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a degree in Creative Writing. She lives in sunny San Diego. Follow her on Twitter at @beccawriteswhat.
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