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Reducing harmful emissions an important step towards climate change
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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One of the latest WHO reports specifically noted the need to reduce emissions of methane, soot, ozone, and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. All of these substances not only affect global warming, but are also a cause of death (more than 7 million people die each year due to air pollution).
The WHO report, prepared with the assistance of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, notes that reducing the amount of harmful emissions into the environment will help reduce the number of diseases and deaths, improve the quality of food, which, in turn, will improve the overall health of the population.
Every day, harmful substances in the atmosphere worsen people's health, especially such emissions affect children's bodies.
The report included recommendations for countries and environmental ministries that could be adopted now to significantly reduce emissions of harmful substances and reduce the number of diseases and early deaths due to polluted air.
The report cites the results of a study conducted several years ago, according to which if all countries took measures to reduce harmful emissions into the environment, the number of premature deaths would decrease by more than 2 million, and according to new data, by 3.5 million in 15 years (the data was obtained on the basis of the latest WHO research).
To understand which measures would be most effective in reducing emissions of harmful substances and preventing climate change, an assessment was made of more than 20 measures to mitigate the harmful effects of pollutants, including collecting gas from landfills, setting standards for the content of harmful substances in vehicle exhausts, switching to renewable energy sources, and reducing food waste.
To reduce the amount of pollutants in vehicle exhausts, it is necessary to introduce strict standards and tighten requirements for engine energy efficiency. Such measures will reduce the amount of soot and other harmful substances in the atmosphere, improve air quality, and reduce the percentage of diseases associated with dirty air.
Of no small importance is the development of fast means of public transport (for example, trains, buses), as well as measures aimed at developing the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, which will reduce not only air pollution, but also noise exposure, and will also increase the physical activity of the population and reduce injuries as a result of accidents.
It is also recommended to replace conventional stoves and fuels in a number of households that use solid fuels for heating and cooking with alternatives, and to promote healthy eating, in particular the consumption of plant-based foods.
According to the head of the WHO department, such measures will lead to a positive effect on the health of the population, and the result can be felt almost immediately.
A few months ago, a resolution was adopted by the World Health Assembly, which particularly emphasized the need for close cooperation between different sectors, while health issues related to combating air pollution should be included in local, regional and national policies.
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