How AI Could Help Reduce Climate Change And Air Pollution

The World Health Organization 2024 report recently urged world leaders to “reduce pollution-related diseases and cut carbon emissions,” considering that air pollution—particularly extremely small particles known as PM2.5—causes around 7 million deaths yearly.

The data hasn’t improved since then, although, fortunately, AI tools have vastly improved and offer new possibilities.

However, it’s crucial to recognize the connections between air pollution regulation and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions to prioritize health. Regulating air pollution is one of the most effective ways to save lives, and as an additional benefit, it also limits greenhouse gas emissions.

On February 7, 2024, the EPA strengthened the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter to protect millions of Americans from harmful and costly health impacts like heart attacks and premature death. The Agency ​ has just reduced the primary (health-based) annual PM2.5 standard from 12 to 9.0 micrograms per cubic meter.

These stronger PM2.5 NAAQS will advance environmental justice by reducing particle pollution, which disproportionately burdens communities of color and other vulnerable communities. According to the regulatory impact analysis of the EPA, on-the-books regulations and available control measures can reduce particle pollution, leading to enormous net public health benefits of as much as $46 billion (in 2032). The WHO guidelines state that annual average concentrations of PM2.5 should not exceed five µg/m3. Some remote areas or places with excellent air quality might have levels as low as 1-3 µg/m³

Many sources of air pollution also produce greenhouse gases: coal-fired power plants, road traffic (particularly diesel vehicles), building energy use (including cooking and heating with wood and coal), unsafe waste disposal and open burning, and industry (including fossil fuel-powered heavy machinery and brick kilns). Thus, if we address the sources of air pollution, we will immediately progress in regulating GHG emissions.

Regulating Air Pollution And Greenhouse Gases Helps Grow the Economy

Cleaner air leads to fewer pollution-related illnesses and premature deaths, translating to substantial economic gains. A 2011 EPA study found that the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 are expected to yield $2 trillion in direct benefits to Americans by 2020, exceeding costs by a factor of more than 30-to-1. Globally, air pollution causes the loss of 1.2 billion work days annually, which could reach 3.8 billion days by 2060, according to the nonprofit Clean Air Fund. The evidence clearly shows that prioritizing clean air is compatible with economic development and can boost it by creating healthier, more productive populations and stimulating technological advancements. According to the EPA, between 1970 and 2019, aggregate emissions of common air pollutants in the U.S. dropped 77%, while the GDP grew 285%.