Air pollution in Asia is a crisis that affects millions of lives every day. Fossil fuels from vehicles, coal plants, and industries are filling the air with toxic particles, harming health across cities and rural areas.
The World Health Organization calls air pollution the world's single greatest environmental risk to health. Most of the burden falls on South and Southeast Asia where rapid urbanization meets heavy fossil fuel use.
Tiny particles called PM2.5 are among the most dangerous. They can penetrate lungs, enter the bloodstream, and trigger heart disease, stroke, respiratory infections, chronic lung disease, and cancer. Asia suffers the highest number of premature deaths from PM2.5 worldwide.
Between 1980 and 2020, nearly 98 million people died early from air pollution exposure. China accounted for 49 million and India 26 million. In 2025, the crisis continues. Fossil fuel pollution and biomass burning cause hundreds of thousands of premature deaths each year in East, Southeast, and Central Asia. Southeast Asia relies heavily on fossil fuels. In 2023, about 80% of the region's energy came from coal, oil, and gas. Coal alone generated half of all electricity and 80% of power sector emissions. Air pollution affects roughly 85% of Southeast Asia's population, contributing to hundreds of thousands of deaths every year from outdoor and indoor air pollution.
Children are especially vulnerable in East Asia and the Pacific. Over 100 children under five die daily from air pollution, and nearly all 500 million children live in areas with unhealthy air. Long-term exposure reduces life expectancy and increases rates of lung and heart disease. In many Asian cities, breathing the air is like smoking multiple cigarettes each day. Governments are acting, but challenges remain.
China aims to eliminate severe air pollution by the end of 2025. Other cities continue to struggle with dangerous air quality far above WH limits. The health toll of fossil fuels is not only measured in deaths. Chronic illnesses, hospitalizations, and weakened communities are part of the daily cost of polluted air.
Reducing fossil fuel emissions is vital. Clean energy, improved transportation, and stricter air quality standards could save hundreds of thousands of lives annually and slow the climate crisis. Clean air is a public health imperative for Asia. Addressing fossil fuel pollution is not only about climate change. It is about saving lives, protecting communities, and securing a healthier future for millions.
All From Climate Impacts Tracker Asia Science
Climate 1 of 5 - https://cityofangels25.blogspot.com/2026/02/climate-tornado-alley-moves-north-as.html
Climate 2 of 5 -
https://cityofangels25.blogspot.com/2026/02/climate-2-of-5-olympics-at-this-years.html
Climate 3 of 5 here
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