- Air pollution causes and is worsened by climate change.
- In addition to carbon dioxide (CO2), the combustion of fossil fuels produces a wide range of short-lived air pollutants with global warming and cooling effects.
- Some of these pollutants, from global energy use, account for most of the direct damage to human health.
- Over 80% of Europeans are exposed to particulate matter (PM) concentrations exceeding the WHO Air Quality Guidelines, reducing the life expectancy of each citizen by an average of nearly 9 months.
Source: EEA (2013). Air pollution in Europe – 2013 update. European Environment Agency, Copenhagen, Denmark. Available online at http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/air-quality-in-europe-2013
- Global warming has extended the pollen season in Europe by an average of 10–11 days over the last 30 years.
- The amount of airborne pollen is also increasing in Europe, in urban more than in semi-rural or rural areas.
- Scientists believe that increases in airborne pollen account for part of the strong increase in the burden of respiratory allergic diseases worldwide.
Source: Ziello et al. 2012. Changes to airborne pollen counts across Europe. PLoS ONE 7(4): e34076. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0034076