Air Pollution Is a Creeping Tax on American Life
1 March 2024 • Article Summary
Topic: Ambient Air Quality, PM, Climate Change
The Atlantic
Air pollution worsening due to climate change, posing a hidden but high cost
Key Points:
- While EPA regulations have improved air quality for decades, climate change is reversing this progress.
- Wildfires and ozone pollution fueled by climate change will significantly worsen air quality in coming years, especially in the West.
- This trend will lead to more premature deaths, heart attacks, and lost work and school days.
- Economic models may underestimate the true cost of air pollution, as clean air is crucial for overall societal health.
- Transitioning to clean energy is essential to reduce air pollution and protect public health.
Explanation:
- This passage explores the impact of climate change on air quality and its economic and health consequences.
- Despite past successes in air pollution control, rising temperatures and wildfires are reversing these gains.
- The West faces the greatest air quality degradation, with California already experiencing increased hazardous air days.While clean air regulations have historically benefited the economy, air pollution from climate change poses a significant hidden cost.
- Transitioning to clean energy is critical to mitigate air pollution and protect human health.