Air Pollution: A Global Crisis – Why We Must Act Now

空氣污染：全球危機——為何我們必須立即行動

Air pollution is no longer just a local nuisance — it has escalated into a global health and economic catastrophe. According to the latest State of Global Air Report 2024, air pollution was responsible for approximately 8.1 million deaths in 2021, making it the secondleading risk factor for death worldwide, only behind high blood pressure. More than 90% of those deaths are linked to exposure to PM2.5 — tiny, inhalable particulate matter that penetrates deep into the lungs and bloodstream.

空氣污染已不再只是地方性的困擾——它已升級為全球性的健康與經濟災難。根據最新的《2024 全球空氣狀況報告》，空氣污染在 2021 年造成約 810 萬人死亡，成為全球第二大死亡風險因素，僅次於高血壓。其中超過 90% 的死亡與 PM2.5 暴露有關——這種微小可吸入的懸浮微粒能深入肺部並進入血液循環。

The toll is not uniform. Vulnerable populations — children under five, the elderly, and people in low- and middle-income countries — bear the brunt. For example, in 2021 alone, pollution contributed to over 700,000 deaths among children under five, making it the second-leading cause of death in this age group globally.

影響並不均等。弱勢族群——五歲以下兒童、老人，以及中低收入國家居民——承受最嚴重的衝擊。例如，僅在 2021 年，空氣污染就導致 超過 70 萬名五歲以下兒童死亡，成為該年齡層全球第二大死因。

But health impacts are only part of the story. The economic cost of polluted air is staggering. A 2025 report by the World Bank estimates that outdoor air pollution causes around 5.7 million deaths every year and imposes costs equivalent to about 5% of global GDP, because of premature deaths, lost productivity, and reduced life expectancy.

但健康影響只是其中一部分。空氣污染帶來的經濟代價驚人。根據世界銀行 2025 年報告，戶外空氣污染每年造成約 570 萬人死亡，並帶來相當於全球 GDP 約 5% 的經濟損失，原因包括過早死亡、生產力下降以及平均壽命縮短。

Citylevel data highlight how severe the problem can be. In 2020, a study analyzing five of the world’s largest cities concluded that around 160,000 people died prematurely due to PM2.5 exposure — even while global pandemic lockdowns temporarily reduced emissions.

城市層級的數據凸顯了問題的嚴重性。2020 年，一項分析全球五大城市的研究顯示，即使在全球疫情封鎖期間排放量暫時下降，仍有約 16 萬人因 PM2.5 暴露而過早死亡。

The causes are clear: fossilfuel burning for power generation, transportation, industrial activities, and residential heating — along with deforestation and wildfires — release fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and other air pollutants. These not only harm human health but also accelerate climate change, creating a vicious cycle: pollution exacerbates global warming, which in turn increases wildfires and air quality incidents.

原因十分明確：燃燒化石燃料以發電、交通運輸、工業活動及住宅取暖，以及森林砍伐與野火，都會釋放細懸浮微粒、氮氧化物和其他空氣污染物。這些污染物不僅危害人類健康，也加速氣候變遷，形成惡性循環：污染加劇全球暖化，進而增加野火與空氣品質惡化事件。

Despite the grim statistics, the World Bank report offers a glimmer of hope: with ambitious, coordinated policy action, the number of people exposed to dangerously polluted air could be cut in half by 2040. Quick adoption of clean energy, sustainable transportation, improved wastetoenergy systems, and stricter emissions standards are crucial steps.

儘管數據令人擔憂，世界銀行的報告仍帶來一線希望：若採取雄心勃勃且協調的政策行動，到 2040 年，暴露於危險空氣污染的人數有望減半。快速推行清潔能源、永續交通、改進廢棄物能源化系統，以及更嚴格的排放標準，都是關鍵措施。

Governments, industries, and citizens all have roles to play. We must shift from coal and fossil fuels to renewable energy, expand and enforce airquality regulations, invest in mass transit and zeroemissions technologies, and promote clean cooking and heating solutions. Public awareness and global cooperation are critical: air pollution crosses borders easily — no region is immune.

政府、產業與公民都肩負責任。我們必須從燃煤與化石燃料轉向再生能源，擴大並落實空氣品質法規，投資大眾運輸與零排放技術，並推廣清潔烹飪與取暖方案。公眾意識與國際合作至關重要：空氣污染輕易跨越國界，沒有任何地區能倖免。

Air pollution is not just a temporary problem or a seasonal inconvenience: it is a persistent, growing global crisis that threatens lives, economies, and the planet. If we fail to act decisively now, the toll will keep rising — more deaths, higher health costs, lost productivity, and deeper environmental damage. But if we unite around smart, fair, and sustainable policies, we can — and must — turn the tide.

空氣污染不只是暫時的問題或季節性的困擾：它是一場持續惡化的全球危機，威脅生命、經濟與地球環境。如果我們現在不果斷行動，損失將持續增加——更多死亡、更高醫療成本、勞動力損失，以及更嚴重的環境破壞。但若我們齊心採取明智、公平且永續的政策，我們可以——也必須——扭轉這一局勢。

For our health, our children, and our future, we cannot afford to wait. The time for clean air is now.

為了我們的健康、孩子的未來，以及整個地球的未來，我們不能再等待。追求潔淨空氣的時刻，就是現在。