Despite India's significant challenge with air pollution, as evidenced by hosting the four most polluted cities globally, it ranks third in the list of the world's most polluted countries.
Indian schoolchildren cover their faces as they walk to school amid heavy smog. (Photo: Getty)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Mar 19, 2024 15:27 IST
The sixth Annual World Air Quality Report identified Bihar's Begusarai as the most polluted city in 2023.
This alarming revelation comes amidst broader concerns over air pollution levels worldwide, with the report detailing the state of air quality across various countries, territories, and regions.
The details are part of the 2023 World Air Quality Report by IQAir, a Swiss air-monitoring organisation.
Despite India's significant challenge with air pollution, as evidenced by hosting the four most polluted cities globally, it ranks third in the list of the world's most polluted countries.
Bangladesh leads the chart, followed closely by Pakistan, pointing to the pressing environmental and public health crisis in Central and South Asia. The region is home to the top ten most polluted cities worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat air pollution.
For the first time, Canada emerged as the most polluted country in Northern America in this year's report, with its 13 most polluted cities marking a notable shift in regional air quality trends. This development points to the widespread nature of air pollution challenges, transcending geographical and economic boundaries.
The extensive data analysis for the 2023 report was conducted using information from over 30,000 air quality monitoring stations across 7,812 locations in 134 countries, territories, and regions.
This robust dataset hints at the global scale of air pollution, affecting billions of lives and necessitating immediate action from governments, organizations, and individuals alike.
Begusarai's ranking as the most polluted metropolitan area is a call to action for India and the world. It highlights the critical need for sustainable practices, cleaner energy sources, and stricter environmental regulations to mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution on human health and the environment.
As cities like Columbus, Ohio, and Beloit, Wisconsin, face their pollution challenges, the report also highlights a positive trend with Las Vegas, Nevada, being recognised as the cleanest major city in the US.
Published By:
Sibu Kumar Tripathi
Published On:
Mar 19, 2024
English (US) ·