40 Most Polluted Cities in the World in 2024
40 Most Polluted Cities in the World in 2024 Yahoo Finance
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40 Most Polluted Cities in the World in 2024
In this article, we list the 40 Most Polluted Cities in the World in 2024. If you would like to skip the complete list and our detailed discussion of the topic, you can go directly to 1 0 Most Polluted Cities in the World in 2024.
According to the World Bank, global land waste is forecasted to increase to 3.4 billion tons by 2050. This alarmingly high number has raised many concerns amongst global leaders and local communities to strictly call for fixing the so-called “throwaway culture.”
The throwaway culture is at large illuminated by industries that produce and dump substantial waste material into the soil, which increases land waste and also causes soil pollution. Similarly, the use of pesticides and nitrogen-based fertilizers in the agriculture industry and urbanization are also significantly contributing to soil pollution. Unfortunately, the efforts of just one country or a group of countries are not enough to fix this issue — a global problem requires a global solution. However, waste materials are not efficiently recycled, reused, or properly disposed of in many parts of the world despite the staggering statistics. Waste keeps piling up on the land, especially in low-income countries.
Other forms of pollution are also peaking, like air pollution. Each year, around 7 million premature deaths occur due to the effects of ambient and household air pollution, WHO reports.
Even worse is the fact that around 2.4 billion people worldwide are already exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution. In the United States, according to the American Lung Association’s 2023 report, 119.6 million people live in places with unhealthy levels of air quality. As a result, people are prone to multiple health issues, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease, and other long-term health issues like cancer. It’s important to note that air quality deteriorates as a result of overall pollution, and not just air pollution.
Air quality is measured and monitored using sensors that are designed to detect specific pollutants, such as PM2.5, PM10, ground-level ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide — those that impact human and environmental health overall. There are different methods of measuring these pollutants; some use satellite imaging to measure energy reflected or emitted by the Earth, while others use lasers to scan particulate matter density in a cubic meter of air.
The results are recorded on an air quality index (AQI), which is a scale ranging from 0 to 500 to measure the density of pollutants in the air. The higher the AQI score, the lesser the air quality. Air quality is unhealthy when it scores above 100 on the AQI. According to the UN Environment Programme and IQAir, only 38 of 117 countries and regions had AQI readings below 100 in 2021.
Pollution Vs. Global Corporations
Since pollution is a major environmental concern, many global corporations such as JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ: JBLU), Walt Disney Co (NYSE: DIS), and General Motors Co (NYSE: GM) have taken steps to reduce their carbon footprint, which, in turn, will help better the overall air quality.
JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ: JBLU) announced in 2020 to use science-based emission reduction strategies to achieve a net zero carbon footprint by 2040. The strategies include transitioning to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), made from non-petroleum feedstocks, as an alternative fuel to reduce emissions. By 2035, JetBlue Airways Corporation (NASDAQ: JBLU) is committed to reducing jet fuel emissions by 50% per tonne-kilometer.
Similarly, Walt Disney Co (NYSE: DIS) is also aiming to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Walt Disney Co (NYSE: DIS) has invested nearly $100 million in over 30 climate change and environmental sustainability projects. Moreover, its subsidiary company, Disney Cruise Line, has integrated its newest fleets with technologies and systems that improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
On the other hand, by 2040, General Motors Co (NYSE: GM) aims to achieve carbon neutrality in global products and operations. In order to achieve this goal, General Motors Co (NYSE: GM) has set milestones and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)-approved targets. By 2025, the company plans to scale its annual Electric Vehicles (EV) capacity to 1 million in North America and over 2 million globally.
40 Most Polluted Cities in the World in 2024
40. Jabalpur, India
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs
Targets
Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution and contamination of air, water, and soil.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge out of total urban solid waste generated, by cities.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
Hazardous waste generated per capita and proportion of hazardous waste treated, by type of treatment.
Note: The targets and indicators mentioned in the table are based on the information provided in the article. Additional targets and indicators may exist for each SDG.
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Source: finance.yahoo.com
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