International investigation into mysterious source of a banned, ozone-depleting chemical now destroying the ozone layer

Scientists are raising a concern that someone is currently making a banned chemical that is destroying the ozone layer. Chris Mooney explains latest developments in an article on The Washington Post website. Someone, somewhere, is making a banned chemical that destroys the ozone layer, scientists suspect Emissions of a banned, ozone-depleting chemical are on the … Continue reading International investigation into mysterious source of a banned, ozone-depleting chemical now destroying the ozone layer →

Understanding why air pollution affects quality of life

Richard E. Peltier, Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst explains in an article on The Conversation website in a straightforward manner why air pollution affects all of us and not even necessarily in the most polluted cities of the world. Is air pollution making you sick? 4 questions … Continue reading Understanding why air pollution affects quality of life →

New Delhi named most polluted megacity

Annie Gowen writes in The Washington Post about the level of pollution in the world’s megacities. The worst one is New Delhi. The importance of this article is not to name and shame the most polluting but to show that there are approaches, as we are now seeing in China, that can make significant improvements. … Continue reading New Delhi named most polluted megacity →

Stunning improvements in urban air quality in American cities starting to slow and in danger of reversing

Oliver Milman provides an important article in The Guardian about the current situation in the United States relating to climate change, urban air quality and the low-carbon energy transition. Readers will be amazed to know the gains that have been made in the US in recent decades. They will also be concerned that those gains … Continue reading Stunning improvements in urban air quality in American cities starting to slow and in danger of reversing →

New research shows that crime in London is driven by air pollution

All of us know well that air pollution has serious impacts on our health and our need to reduce emissions overall in our climate change strategies. Josh Gabbatiss writes on The Independent website that researchers have been examining the links between air pollution in specific areas and crime. Air pollution is causing crime in London, … Continue reading New research shows that crime in London is driven by air pollution →

The way cities manage their growth will be a key question in sustainable development

There is more emphasis in the role of cities to address climate change and our energy transition. Chris Mooney writes in the Washington Post about recent research that compares the quality of growth between suburbs and city centres. You should enjoy this. Scientists just showed what building a new suburb does to the atmosphere A … Continue reading The way cities manage their growth will be a key question in sustainable development →

Delay in decision whether German cities can ban heavily polluting diesel cars

Urban air quality is an increasingly critical issue that decision makers are addressing. Gero Rueter writes on the Deutsche Welle website about new delays in allowing cities to ban heavily polluting diesel cars. It all began when the environmental and consumer watchdog Environmental Action Germany (DUH) brought legal cases against the states of Baden-Württemberg and … Continue reading Delay in decision whether German cities can ban heavily polluting diesel cars →

Emissions that result from industrial startups, shutdowns or malfunctions often exceed government standards

Industries often shutdown during routine operations and sometimes because of natural disasters. Nikolaos Zirogiannis, Alex J. Hollingsworth and David Konisky of Indiana University write on The Conversation website about the resulting air pollution. Air pollution from industrial shutdowns and startups worse than thought When Hurricane Harvey struck the Texas coast in August 2017, many … Continue reading Emissions that result from industrial startups, shutdowns or malfunctions often exceed government standards →

Consumer products affect air quality

US research has found that chemicals in everyday household products are now a key contributor to city air pollution, rivalling some vehicle emissions. While many news agencies have reported on this, one of the best articles is from Chris Mooney of the Washington Post. In a surprising study, scientists say everyday chemicals now rival … Continue reading Consumer products affect air quality →

China takes action to reduce emissions in the industrial sector

China’s war on pollution includes new emissions restrictions for its industrial sector. David Stanway explains in an article on the Reuters website. China draws up new 'special' emission curbs on industries China will impose “special emissions restrictions” on enterprises in major industrial sectors in northern China later this year, as it bids to ensure … Continue reading China takes action to reduce emissions in the industrial sector →