Pollution

Air pollution is a local, national, european and hemispheric issue. Pollutants released into the atmosphere in one area have the potential to be transported via air currents in the atmosphere to other areas, such as the pan-European smog in 2015. This means that this is an issue that needs to be tackled collectively.

Poor air quality harms both humans, the environment and wildlife - because of this it can have a serious impact on delicate ecosystems and food chains. In Europe, emissions of many common air pollutants have been decreasing steadily, resulting in better air quality across the region - however there are a number of issues that still persist. A substantial proportion of Europe's population live in urban and sub-urban areas, where regular exceedances of predetermined air quality standards and emission limits occur.

Particulate matter (PM), Nitrogen Dioxide and the tropospheric ozone are commonly recognised as three air pollutants that currently pose the most significant risk to human health, with longterm exposure to these causing impaired respiratory systems and in some cases, premature death. It is estimated that 90% of people living in urban communities in Europe are exposed to pollutants at concentrations that pose a health risk. For example, it is estimated that particulate matter can reduce life expectancy by more than eight months.