Where Data Tells the Story
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Air pollution is one of the world’s deadliest threats, responsible for over seven million premature deaths annually. Despite its critical importance, the availability of air quality data—the very foundation for combating air pollution—is alarmingly limited. According to the OpenAQ Open Air Quality Data Global Landscape 2024 report, 45% of nations either do not monitor air quality or monitor but do not share any data, 28% share data only partially. This means nearly three quarters of the world’s population lack access to vital information about the air they breathe.
The map starkly illustrates the air quality data-sharing landscape across 198 countries. The findings are alarming:
As the map shows, the global south faces the most significant data gaps. Many countries in Africa, South Asia, and parts of Latin America either lack monitoring systems or share data in a very limited capacity. Without access to air quality information, communities in these regions cannot effectively advocate for cleaner air, leaving them vulnerable to the silent killer of air pollution.
The OpenAQ report sets a clear standard for what constitutes fully open air quality data. To qualify, data must:
The gap in air quality data sharing between the global north and south is stark. While Europe and North America have made strides, much of the global south lacks the data needed to even begin properly addressing air pollution.
For example:
Data is the oxygen of air pollution advocacy. Without it, governments cannot craft effective policies, and communities cannot hold polluters accountable.
To address these urgent gaps, the OpenAQ report makes the following recommendations:
Air pollution is not just a long-term issue; it’s a daily, escalating threat. Every day without action means more polluted air, rising hospitalizations, and preventable premature deaths. Transparent air quality data is crucial—it empowers policymakers, supports researchers in tracking progress, and enables communities to demand change.
The global south faces a dual challenge: battling severe pollution while building systems to monitor it. In contrast, the global north, despite progress, still falls short of meeting WHO air quality guidelines.
Air pollution knows no borders. While the burden of action falls heavily on governments and funders, each of us has a role to play in advocating for cleaner air. Whether it’s supporting organizations like OpenAQ, raising awareness in your community, or calling on leaders to prioritize air quality, the time to act is now.
Clean air should not be a luxury; it’s a human right. Let’s ensure that every breath we take moves us closer to a world where that right is realized for all.