A team of scientists from the University of Leeds, the University of Edinburgh, North Carolina State University, and the UK Met Office visualized global air quality trends with “Air Quality Taxes.” These images reveal the stark contrast in air quality improvement and deterioration around the world.
While Europe saw the biggest decline in a particular caseespecially in Western cities like London and Berlin, an alarming increase has been seen in parts of Africa and Central Asia, such as Nairobi and Delhi— This comparison highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in combating global air pollution.
Illustrations of Air Quality lines (Image: University of Leeds).
The “Air Quality Stripes” use a color-coded system to represent changes in particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration, with blue indicating cleaner air and black representing the highest pollution levels. The project emphasizes the dangers of PM2.5, a pollutant linked to serious health problems, including respiratory problems, heart disease, and an increased risk of various diseases.
Notably, 99% of the world’s population currently lives in areas with PM2.5 levels that exceed the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.
The images aim to make complex data about air pollution more accessible and understandable to the public; By showing different trends in air quality across different regions, researchers hope to raise awareness and encourage more action to reduce air pollution.
This initiative follows in the footsteps of the Global Warming Index, developed by Professor Ed Hawkins, and contributes to a growing body of visual tools designed to effectively communicate climate change.
The project is supported by EPCC and CEMAC, with funding from the Software Sustainability Institute, and is part of a wider effort to support global efforts to improve air quality.
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