Air pollution worsens climate change

Ambient air pollution, which is predominantly a cause of climate change rather than an effect, also has major ramifications for child health. Ambient air pollution tends to be worst in urban centres. As more children live in urban centres, this poses a growing threat. Exposure to air pollutants through inhalation is particularly harsh for children, because their lungs are small and still developing until around the age of 18.

Smoke and fumes from burning fossil fuels in homes, buses, cars and factories increase greenhouse gas emissions, making climate change worse, while also polluting the air we breathe and causing health problems. Smoke and fumes from cooking stoves that burn things like wood and coal also worsen respiratory health problems and release harmful emissions into the atmosphere.