new report Natural Geology He highlighted the problem of air pollution levels in Africa and why international action is needed to combat it. Over the last 50 years, African countries have suffered from rapidly deteriorating air quality, making their cities some of the most polluted in the world. Particulate matter concentrations are currently five to ten levels above those recommended by the World Health Organization, and the situation is predicted to worsen as population growth and industrialization accelerate.

But little has been done to tackle dangerous air quality: just 0.01% of global air pollution funding is currently spent on Africa.

A new perspective paper by the University of Birmingham, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of South East Kenya and the Africa Clean Air Center was published on: natural geology, He argues that African countries should make a collective effort at the regional level to solve this problem. individual solutions and global collaboration.

Causes and consequences of air pollution in Africa

Francis Pope, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Birmingham and one of the co-authors, said: “The burning of biomass fuels for cooking, heating and lighting, the mining of crude oil and coal, and the transport of old vehicles. Introduction from Europe is the cause of poor air quality in African countries. This hazardous air can cause serious and sometimes fatal health problems for those who breathe it. “If that were not reason enough to solve the problem, air pollution in Africa is a problem not only for people living on the continent but also for the world, limiting the ability to meet global climate targets and tackle the climate emergency.”

Over the years, many efforts have been made to combat air pollution, such as ten major African cities signing the C40 Clean Air Charter. Initiatives to monitor air pollution levels and collect much-needed data have also begun to gain momentum.

But there’s still a lot to come. Researchers say regional and international efforts need to be coordinated to achieve real change and use existing knowledge to control and reduce air pollution.

They call for urgent cooperation on the following issues:

• Continuous air monitoring using a network of sensors to create a detailed picture of air pollution fluctuations and monitor progress.
• Invest in clean energy such as solar, hydropower and wind to meet Africa’s energy demand, which is expected to double by 2040.
• Improved solid waste management to prevent dumping and incineration and increase reuse, recycling and recovery.
• Investing in clean technologies to drive economic growth in African countries, avoiding the dirty and outdated technologies of the Global North.
• Improving infrastructure to limit emissions in the transport sector, improving public transport performance and introducing higher emissions standards for fuel and imported vehicles.

The paper was co-authored by Dr. D. of the University of Cambridge’s Sustainable Development Institute and the Africa Clean Air Centre. Gabriel Okello said: “Air pollution is complex and multifaceted, with different sources and patterns in society. Addressing this challenge requires more assertive, collaborative, and collaborative approaches that focus on engaging stakeholders in policy, academia, business, and communities to co-design and co-produce context-sensitive interventions. This should be facilitated by greater investment in measures aimed at combating air pollution. “Africa has the opportunity to use growing political will and mobilize its young population to accelerate action on the five broad recommendations in our document.”

from the University of Southeastern Kenya and co-author of the paper, Dr. Andrianna Mbandi said: “The burden of air pollution falls unfairly on poorer segments of the population, as well as women and children, because they are more likely to be exposed to more pollutants and more likely to feel more effects. Hence clean air “Action on this will go some way towards addressing some of these inequalities in Africa, as well as providing health and environmental benefits.”

Professor Pope concludes: “There is no one-size-fits-all solution to Africa’s air quality problems, and each region and each population will have to overcome its own particular challenges. But by being proactive and taking these five actions, you will reduce air pollution, which means healthier people and a healthier planet.”