Cutting air pollution could save 30,000 US lives by 2030
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Stronger climate policies could prevent 6,000 US deaths a year by 2030, with global efforts saving hundreds of thousands more.
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The Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) is pictured in downtown Chicago, where the air quality has been categorized "unhealthy" by the US Environmental Protection Agency, on June 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Claire Savage, file)
Efforts to curb air pollution in the United States could prevent around 6,000 premature deaths each year by 2030, according to new research led by Princeton University. The study warns that without action, a growing and ageing population will push pollution-related deaths even higher, nearly 13,000 more fatalities in 2030 compared with 2015.
The research examined emissions sources and demographic trends across all 50 states, revealing that nearly every county would experience health improvements from strong climate policies.
Measures such as scaling up renewable energy, electrifying transport, and reducing vehicle miles traveled were shown to bring immediate benefits. States with historically high pollution burdens, such as West Virginia and Kentucky, could see deaths from particle pollution fall by more than 19% within the next five years.
Xinyuan Huang, the study’s lead author, told The Guardian that “climate actions not only reduce carbon emissions but also bring significant air-quality improvements to regions with historically high pollution levels.”
Policies that deliver health benefits
The projected health gains stem from a mix of renewable energy expansion, greater uptake of electric vehicles, electrification of freight, and measures like low-emission zones and congestion pricing.
Building decarbonization remains challenging, though progress is visible, whereby in 2023, heat pumps outsold fossil gas boilers in the US.
Dr. Wei Peng, co-author of the study, noted to The Guardian, “Figuring out how to leverage and combine actions to maximise local benefits will be important to promote widespread public support for this transition.”
Separate research highlights that fossil fuel production and use impose unequal health burdens. For example, minority communities in states like Louisiana and Texas face disproportionate exposure to air pollution, particularly from oil and gas infrastructure. Addressing these disparities will be essential in ensuring that climate and clean air policies deliver fair outcomes.
Lessons from global experience
While the US findings are striking, evidence from around the world shows that pollution control efforts can yield even larger life-saving benefits.
In China, research suggests that combining clean air measures with carbon neutrality policies could cut pollution-related deaths by as much as 62% by 2060, equivalent to preventing around 2.15 million premature deaths every year.
Europe has also seen major improvements. Between 2005 and 2022, deaths linked to fine particle pollution (PM2.5) fell by 45%, underscoring how long-term, sustained policies can steadily reduce the health toll of polluted air.
In Africa, some of the world’s most polluted regions face immense challenges, yet studies show substantial gains are possible. Modeling indicates that six major cities, including Cairo, Lagos, and Johannesburg, could collectively prevent 109,000 premature deaths and generate $19 billion in economic benefits by 2040 through clean air initiatives.
Latin America offers similar lessons. In Rio de Janeiro, cutting air pollution levels by 30% by 2030 is projected to save more than 1,100 lives each year, highlighting the immediate human impact of stronger environmental policies.
Economic and health equity benefits
Beyond saving lives, clean air policies generate economic returns. Studies show every dollar invested in pollution reduction yields several dollars in health and productivity benefits.
Most importantly, vulnerable groups, including lower-income populations and racial minorities, often see the greatest improvements, reducing health inequalities while boosting public well-being.
