Reducing some climate pollutants could save millions of lives, says a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Gases, like soot, or black carbon, methane and the ozone in city smog, are called “short-lived climate pollutants.” Not only do they contribute to climate change, but they can cause ill health.
WHO says emissions from these climate pollutants cause cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. These include heart disease, pulmonary disease, respiratory infections and lung cancer.
The WHO says these pollutants are responsible for many of the more than 7 million premature deaths each year that are connected to air pollution.
The UN health group also says the pollutants can decrease agricultural crops. These pollutants exist both outdoors and indoors.
WHO Environment Chief Maria Neira says the pollutants have a strong impact on climate change.
