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Daily Data InsightsThe world has probably passed “peak air pollution”

The world has probably passed “peak air pollution”

The image shows a series of six line graphs depicting the trends in global emissions of different pollutants from 1750 to 2022. The title reads "The world has passed 'peak pollution'," indicating that emissions of several pollutants have declined since their peak levels, except for ammonia.

The pollutants shown are:

- Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) – peaked in the mid-20th century and has since declined.
- Nitrogen oxide (NOx) – followed a similar pattern, peaking around the late 20th century and then dropping.
- Carbon monoxide (CO) – peaked mid-20th century and declined.
- Black carbon (BC) – shows a rise until recently, followed by a drop.
- Organic carbon (OC) – has risen steadily with a recent plateau.
- Ammonia (NH₃) – continues to rise without a recent decline.

Global emissions of local air pollutants have probably passed their peak.

The chart shows estimates of global emissions of pollutants such as sulphur dioxide (which causes acid rain), nitrogen oxides, and black and organic carbon.

These pollutants are harmful to human health and can also damage ecosystems.

It looks like emissions have peaked for almost all of these pollutants. Global air pollution is now falling, and we can save many lives by accelerating this decline.

The exception is ammonia, which is mainly produced by agriculture. Its emissions are still rising.

These estimates come from the Community Emissions Data System (CEDS).

Air pollution has not peaked everywhere in the world — explore the data for your country →

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