Here's how rising air pollution threatens millions in the US

This video is part of: Centre for Nature and Climate

39% of Americans live in places that fail standards on ozone and particle pollution. That’s 131.2 million people, says a report by the American Lung Association.

Almost 2 in 5 people in the United States live with unhealthy levels of air pollution. A new report by the American Lung Association reveals that 39%, or 131.2 million Americans, reside in areas that fail to meet standards for ozone and particle pollution.

The unequal burden of air pollution in the US

The burden of air pollution is not distributed evenly across the US population. People of color are disproportionately affected, with 52% living in areas that do not meet air quality standards, compared to 42% who represent the overall US population.

This disparity is even more pronounced in counties with the worst air quality, where 63% of residents are people of color compared to 37% who are white. This translates to people of color being 2.3 times more likely than white people to live in a county with the most severe air pollution.

The road ahead: Climate change and potential solutions

Climate change is projected to cause an additional 14.5 million deaths and $12.5 trillion in economic losses globally by 2050. To address this challenge, the World Economic Forum and the Clean Air Fund launched the Alliance for Clean Air at COP26.

This initiative unites business leaders to invest in innovation and reduce pollution within their supply chains.