In the air there are small particles of 2.5 microns, known as PM2.5, these are harmful to human health because of their easy penetration into the respiratory tract, causing cardiovascular, respiratory and cancer diseases. In other words, air pollution is responsible for 3.3 million premature deaths per year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Get to know the 10 cities with more than 500,000 inhabitants, which enjoy the cleanest air in terms of PM2, 5, according to WHO.
1. Stockholm, Sweden: With 5.5 micrograms of PM2.5 particles, the environmental authorities of this city work to have a space free of fossil fuels by the year 2050. To achieve this objective, public transport has been improved, biodiversity increased and decreased solid waste.
2. Auckland, New Zealand: The New Zealand goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. Auckland has 5.7 micrograms of PM2.5 particles per cubic meter of air (ug / m3), which means a low concentration in pollution. According to the Ministry of Environment of this country, the air quality is good due to the low population density, the proximity to the sea and the distance to other continents and sources of pollution.
3. Brisbane, Australia: It has 5.7 (ug / m3) PM2.5; this thanks to the awareness programs implemented by the Brisbane City Hall, such as: reporting the vehicles that emit smoke for more than 10 seconds, the option of buying cars that consume less gasoline, and increasing the use of public transport and bicycles.
4. Wellington, New Zealand: Environmental authorities in this city have implemented energy efficiency programs and waste management projects that reduce CO2 emissions. The WHO awarded Wellington fourth place with 6.2 (ug / m3) PM2.5 in its air.
5. Boston, United States: The City's Climate Action Plan indicates that all inhabitants must participate in the reduction of greenhouse emissions by 25% by 2020 and by 80% by 2050. The Greenovate movement Boston, driven by citizens, fights climate change with daily actions; for which the WHO awarded the fifth place in the ranking to Boston with 6.6 micrograms of particles (ug / m3) PM2.5 in its atmosphere.
6. Ottawa, Canada: The use of public transport by increasing the use of bicycles and the creation of more lanes and parking lots for these vehicles are some of the actions that Ottawa residents have taken to reduce air pollution. The city has 7 (ug / m3) micrograms of PM2.5 particles.
7. Vancouver, Canada: With 7 (ug / m3) PM2.5 aims to be the 'greenest' city in the world in 2020. They have opted for the construction of carbon neutral buildings, which reduce CO2 emissions , and the transformation of its transport system through the replacement of vehicles by bicycles.
8. Edinburgh, United Kingdom: According to the WHO, Edinburgh has 7.5 (ug / m3) PM2.5 in its air. The Scottish capital aims to reduce coal emissions by 40% and use alternative technologies in transport by 2020. Scotland has bet on renewable energies: wind energy (windmills) and marine energy.
9. Las Vegas, United States: The municipal buildings of Las Vegas implement 100% renewable energy, energy comes from solar panels and electric turbines that save millions of dollars a year. In addition, they reduce electricity consumption by 30%. Thus, Las Vegas ranked ninth in the ranking with 7.64 (ug / m3) PM 2.5 in the air.
10. Sydney, Australia: It aims to be a more global, connected and green city by 2030, so it seeks to mitigate carbon emissions with a green infrastructure network to reduce the demand for energy and water. Sydney is the 10th city with 7.68 (ug / m3) PM 2.5 in its atmosphere.
Source: World Health Organization.