Only seven countries met WHO air quality standards in 2023, report finds

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🗞️ Driving the news: In 2023, Bangladesh was identified as the most polluted country globally, with air quality levels more than 15 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended safe levels
• This finding was part of a report by the Swiss air quality organization IQAir

🔭 The context: The report highlighted that only seven countries met or were below the WHO's healthy annual average air quality levels: Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand 
• This stark contrast underscores the widespread issue of air pollution across the globe

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Air pollution is a significant environmental issue that affects public health, ecosystems, and the climate 
• High pollution levels in countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India not only impact local populations but also contribute to global environmental challenges

⏭️ What's next: The persistent problem of air pollution calls for increased efforts in reducing emissions from fossil fuels, adopting clean energy technologies, and enhancing air quality monitoring and regulations worldwide

💬 One quote: "The science is pretty clear about the impacts of air pollution and yet we are so accustomed to having a background level of pollution that’s too high to be healthy," says Glory Dolphin Hammes, IQAir's North America chief executive

📈 One stat: According to the International Energy Agency, at least 9 out of 10 people worldwide live in places with low air quality, contributing to approximately 7 million deaths globally each year.

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