A recent study highlights that only Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand adhere to the World Health Organization’s guidelines for PM2.5, the tiny harmful particles in air pollution. Despite improvements in global air quality over the past century, countries like Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, and Burkina Faso face dangerous pollution levels, with Pakistan’s PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO standards by over 14 times.

Canada experienced severe air quality deterioration due to wildfires, marking it as having the highest PM2.5 levels, while China saw a pollution increase due to economic recovery post-COVID-19. The report underscores the dire need for rapid adjustments to reduce pollution, emphasizing the importance of making cities more walkable, altering forestry practices, and adopting clean energy solutions. — The Guardian