Study: Air Pollution is the Greatest External Threat to Global Health

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    The Spin

    Narrative A

    Multiple studies have shown that air pollution is more dangerous to global health than smoking, alcohol, or malnutrition. Yet the percentage of funding set aside to confront the existential threat is minuscule. Just six countries suffer from three-quarters of the world's air pollution's impact. Governments must unite to reduce global disparities in the fight against air pollution.

    Narrative B

    While air quality has improved over the last few decades in Europe, the growing threat of wildfires — caused by rising temperatures linked to climate change — is causing spikes in air pollution from the western US to Latin America and Southeast Asia. We must devote more resources to tackle global warming as a root cause of this threat.

    Metaculus Prediction

    There's a 50% chance that the average annual level of PM2.5 in Beijing will be at least 40 in 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


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