![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/cleaner-air-in-megacities-would-save-125000-lives/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/TELEMMGLPICT000285368212_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqtGQB12KHxxQCrwnTZkX0nwgWqwm85JEWpGVhFb46TTg.jpeg&description=Africa's burgeoning megacities could save tens of thousands of lives and billions of pounds if they clean up their air pollution, a new report has found. Air pollution is the second biggest killer in Africa after HIV/Aids, and causes an estimated 1.1m deaths each year. Yet the issue remains overlooked by policymakers and funders, according to the Clean Air Fund. Tackling smoggy, choking cities would not only cut emissions of greenhouse gases and save lives, but also has a solid business case because it would boost economic growth, the report says. Cairo, Lagos, Johannesburg and Accra alone could between them could save over 125,000 lives, unlock £17bn and cut carbon emissions by a fifth by 2040. Desmond Appiah, the fund's lead for Ghana, said: 'Africa's rise is led by its great cities. The decisions made now will determine how fast and how fair their growth will be, and how long it will last. 'These findings show that cleaning the air is critical in building strong, healthy, inclusive economies that can power the carbon neutral markets and workforces of the future.' It comes as world leaders meet next month in Egypt for the COP27 climate conference. African nations are likely to demand that developed nations – which grew rich using fossil fuels – should donate more money to meet the costs of climate change. The Lancet medical journal earlier this week said extreme weather caused by climate change was having a significant effect on human health. The Lancet Countdown report said heat-related deaths globally have increased by two-thirds over the past two decades. Climate change was also increasing the risk of food insecurity and infectious disease. It concluded: 'Despite the challenges, there is clear evidence that immediate action could still save the lives of millions, with a rapid shift to clean energy and energy efficiency." The Lancet report also estimated that exposure to air pollution contributed to 4.7m deaths globally in 2020, a third of them directly related){kind=link}
Air pollution kills an estimated 1m a year in Africa, second only to HIV/AIDS
Africa’s burgeoning megacities could save tens of thousands of lives and billions of pounds if they clean up their air pollution, a new report has found.
Air pollution is the second biggest killer in Africa after HIV/Aids, and causes an estimated 1.1m deaths each year. Yet the issue remains overlooked by policymakers and funders, according to the Clean Air Fund.
Tackling smoggy, choking cities would not only cut emissions of greenhouse gases and save lives, but also has a solid business case because it would boost economic growth, the report says.
Cairo, Lagos, Johannesburg and Accra alone could between them could save over 125,000 lives, unlock £17bn and cut carbon emissions by a fifth by 2040.