Pollution’s role in energy policy

Pollution is a difficult problem to solve in many of the earth’s urban areas. China and India are the world’s worst polluters, but fortunately, they are also two of the most solar-friendly countries in the world. Premature deaths from air pollution will continue to rise unless changes are made to the way the world uses and generates energy. Approximately 6.5 million deaths globally are attributed each year to foul air quality, making it the world’s fourth-largest threat to human health, behind high blood pressure, dietary risks and smoking. Damaging pollutants such as particulate matter which contain acids, metals, soil and dust particles - sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, are responsible for the most devastating effects of air pollution. Tiny particulate matter can create lung cancer, strokes and heart disease over the long term, as well as initiate conditions such as heart attacks that kill more rapidly.

Premature deaths will continue without renewable energy

The release of these pollutants is mainly due to the unregulated or inefficient production and use of energy. Without action, annual premature deaths attributable to air pollution will increase to 4.5 million in 2040 from around 3 million currently. Premature deaths due to household air pollution, however, should fall to 2.9 million from 3.5 million. Asia will account for almost 90 percent of the rise in deaths and China and India are the worst offenders. Although global emissions are forecast to decline overall to 2040, existing and planned energy policies alone will not be enough to improve air quality. Harmful greenhouse gas emissions should continue to drop in industrialized countries and recent signs of decline in China are projected to continue, but emissions are set to soar in India, southeast Asia, and Africa as energy demand growth overwhelms efforts to improve the air. The IEA said increasing total energy investment by seven percent, or $4.7 trillion, by 2040 could help ensure premature deaths from outdoor pollution diminish to 2.8 million and from household air pollution to 1.3 million.
“This is completely peanuts. With a seven percent increase you can save over three million lives,” IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol told reporters in London.
New energy and air quality policies will also produce cleaner air. Each country needs to have a long-term air quality goal, the report said. There should be a package of measures for the energy sector such as fitting coal-fired power plants with scrubbers; more use of renewable energy; increased energy efficiency and emissions control, it said.

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