Global health crisis exacerbated by air pollution from fossil fuels, accounting for 61% of outdoor pollution deaths.

Air pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels is responsible for an alarming 5.1 million deaths worldwide every year, a new study has revealed. This death toll is significantly higher than previous estimates and highlights the severe global health risks linked to fossil fuel use.

The study, published just before the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, found that of the 8 million global deaths from outdoor air pollution annually, 61% are attributed to the burning of fossil fuels. This includes pollution from industries, power generation, and transportation, which are major contributors to air quality deterioration.

Researchers suggest that transitioning to cleaner, renewable energy sources would not only mitigate the climate crisis but also save millions of lives by reducing air pollution. The findings, published in The BMJ, underline the urgent need for decisive action to reduce fossil fuel use and curb its devastating health impact.

As world leaders prepare for key discussions at COP28, the study’s results put further pressure on them to commit to long-term plans, such as a “phase-out” of fossil fuels, in order to tackle both the climate crisis and the public health emergency caused by air pollution.