Global Scans · Pollution · Weekly Summary

• [New] In Oceania, dietary risks are the most significant attributable risk factor for IHD, followed by high blood pressure and air pollution. ScienceDaily
• [New] High blood pressure, unhealthy dietary patterns and air pollution are prevalent IHD risk factors in East Asia. ScienceDaily
• [New] SPARC is the tokamak Commonwealth says could forever change how the world gets its energy, generating 10 million times more than coal or natural gas while producing no planet-warming pollution. CNN
• [New] Rotterdam plans to cover 10 million square feet of rooftops in vegetation, a move aimed at combating urban heat, reducing air pollution, and increasing biodiversity. Constructive Voices
• [New] In total, studies estimate that between 1 billion to over 3 billion birds die in the U.S. each year from anthropogenic threats including pollution, habitat loss, climate change, and other human activities. Birdful
• [New] Vessels are known to release harmful pollutants into the air and ocean, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides, and particulate matter, posing significant risks to global ecosystems. SpringerLink
• The research comes amid negotiations for a global plastic treaty which could see plastic production curbed in favour of dealing with plastic pollution via recycling. CIEH
• By 2025, cities around the world will be implementing autonomous vehicles to improve urban mobility, reduce pollution, and create more livable environments. Science News Today
• The Delhi government plans to implement micro-level interventions, such as strict dust control at construction sites, promoting electric vehicles, expanding the metro network, and cleaning inner roads with mechanized sweepers to combat air pollution. Economic Times
• Last month, the EPA announced it will roll back or change 31 environmental rules and regulations, including revisions of national air quality standards for particulate matter, emission standards for industrial air pollutants and regulations restricting vehicle emissions. CBS News
• The rising environmental impact of the pollution caused by traditional vehicles has increased the global temperature as well as health hazards to humans. Precedence Research
• While Trump's EPA pretends that ignoring pollution will make it disappear, Maryland must continue prioritizing local solutions for clean air and clean water, and in turn, the health of residents. Baltimore Sun
• Greenhouse gas emissions, plastic pollution, and protein scarcity are existential threats and pose tremendous challenges to Europe and the world. myScience
• Water company bosses who cover up illegal sewage spills could face up to two years in prison as pollution levels reach a decade-high in the UK's rivers and seas. The Independent
• Climate change is now the most pervasive human-caused threat to imperiled species in the United States, surpassing other long-standing hazards like habitat loss, pollution and invasive species for the first time. Space
• Wood-burning stoves will be allowed to heat new-build homes in England despite growing evidence showing their significant contribution to air pollution and carbon emissions. The Guardian
• Like many other countries, Nepal continues to experience global health threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, air pollution, disease outbreaks, communicable and non-communicable diseases, including post-disaster community recovery. GorakhaPatra
• The Increasing Impacts of Climate Change: The United Nations' modelling does not include the rising risks posed by extreme heat, air pollution, droughts, and other accelerating climate-driven crises. Population Matters
• Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues globally, as plastics take centuries to decompose, polluting land and water while posing significant threats to ecosystems and human health. Renewable Carbon News
• Air pollution in Nepal contains harmful chemicals and fine particulate matter, posing severe health risks. Republic World
• Sustainable economic growth primarily reduces carbon emissions, but especially in recent years, the increase in coal consumption and widespread use of vehicles in China have caused increased pollution, so it is likely that the CO2-income relationship for China will emerge as a U shape. SpringerLink
• The number of people exposed to dangerously high levels of air pollution could be halved by 2040 with targeted policy action with economic benefits as high as $2.4 trillion. DAWN.COM

Last updated: 12 May 2025