New researchย from Harvard University, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, the University of Leicester and University College London, found that more than 8 million people died in 2018 from fossil fuel pollution, significantly higher than previous research suggestedโmeaning that air pollution from burning fossil fuels like coal and diesel was responsible for about 1 in 5 deaths worldwide.
The study, โGlobal Mortality From Outdoor Fine Particle Pollution Generated by Fossil Fuel Combustion,โย published inย Environmental Research, is based on a groundbreaking analysis that enabled the researchers to directly attribute premature deaths from fine particulate pollution (PM 2.5) to fossil fuel combustion.
โOften, when we discuss the dangers of fossil fuel combustion, itโs in the context of CO2ย and climate change and overlook the potential health impact of the pollutants co-emitted with greenhouse gases,โ saidย Dr. Joel Schwartz, Professor at Harvard Chan School and co-author of the study. โWe hope that by quantifying the health consequences of fossil fuel combustion, we can send a clear message to policymakers and stakeholders of the benefits of a transition to alternative energy sources.โ
The findings underscore the detrimental impact of fossil fuels on global health.
โThe health gains we can achieve from getting off fossil fuels is twice what we thought it was yesterday,โ saidย Dr. Aaron Bernstein, Director of the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment at Harvard Chan School. โThe Global Burden of Disease study estimated deaths from fossil fuels numbered 4.2 million in 2015, but thanks to more rigorous science, we can now see that fossil fuels cause far more harm than previously understood. Now more than ever we can see the healthier, more just and sustainable world that climate actions can deliver.โ
Key Takeaways
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- Worldwide, air pollution from burning fossil fuels is responsible for about 1 in 5 deathsโroughly the population of New York City.
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- In the United States 350,000 premature deaths are attributed to fossil fuel pollution. The states with the highest number of deaths per capita are PA, OH, MI, IN, KY, WV, IL, NJ, WI
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- Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy has immediate health benefits, including preventing premature deaths attributed to fossil fuel pollution.
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- Exposure to particulate matter from fossil fuels accounted for 21.5% of total deaths in 2012, falling to 18% in 2018 due to tightening air quality measures in China
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- In India, fossil fuel pollution was responsible for nearly 2.5 million people (aged over 14)ย in 2018; representing over 30% of total deaths in India among people over age 14
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- Thousands of kids under age 5 die each year due to respiratory infections attributed to fossil fuel pollution