Nearly half of Americans exposed to dangerous air pollution, report says
Climate change and Trump's rollbacks raise concerns over air quality
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LIFESTYLE Environment
Nearly half of Americans are now breathing dangerous levels of air pollution, according to a new report by the American Lung Association, marking a sharp increase from last year and raising concerns about the ongoing effects of climate change and recent environmental rollbacks under the Trump administration.
The American Lung Association’s annual State of the Air report found that more than 156 million people live in areas with unhealthy levels of soot or smog, a 16% jump from the previous year and the highest figure in a decade.
While the report focuses on conditions in the US, air pollution remains a pressing global issue. Cities around the world are grappling with its health and environmental consequences, especially as urban populations grow. In response, international coalitions like C40 Cities—a network of global mayors—are pioneering efforts to cut emissions and improve air quality through green innovation. Although no US cities are currently part of the C40 network, these initiatives offer valuable models that could inspire similar changes elsewhere.
Click on to learn more about how these cities are addressing air pollution.
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