Air Pollution

Air pollution is second only to smoking as a cause of premature death in Britain. So why haven't the country's leaders taken action to address the problem?

March 22, 2013 - The Guardian

For a state that prides itself on being a nature lovers' paradise, a growing struggle with hazardous air pollution threatens Utah's very identity. Dan Frosch examines the factors contributing to the epidemic, and some of the proposed solutions.

February 25, 2013 - The New York Times

Part of a larger strategy to address its numerous environmental ills, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases will begin taxing carbon emissions, possibly as early as 2015.

February 21, 2013 - Quartz

In Beijing, the level of air pollution is the highest the monitors at the U.S. embassy have ever recorded since put in place in 2008. The pollution results from a combination of weather conditions and particulate matter - most from coal burning.

January 15, 2013 - The New York Times - Environment

Cold air and windless days have trapped the fumes from millions of cars and hundreds of old factories in Tehran. The air pollution has reached such high levels that officials are advising residents to remain indoors and to avoid downtown areas.

January 8, 2013 - The New York Times

In what could be viewed as a classic environmentalist vs. business showdown, the EPA tightened by 20% the annual standard for soot over the objection of industry and some in Congress who fear it will dampen economic growth.

December 17, 2012 - The Hill's Energy & Environment Blog

New studies are raising alarms about the growing threat of harmful air in Asia's cities. One recent report warns that air pollution could become the biggest environmental cause of premature death by 2050 if action is not taken.

December 5, 2012 - The New York Times

Scientists have created sounds from air pollution data that allow listeners to hear the striking differences and similarities between the air we breathe in America's most polluted city and remote pine forests.

September 13, 2012 - The Atlantic

For the second time, a court has thrown out EPA efforts to address pollution from power plants in 'clean-air' states that cause pollution downwind. This time, the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule was the victim.

August 25, 2012 - The New York Times - Environment

A new study by NOAA scientists and colleagues shows a stunning reduction in vehicle-related air pollutants in the Los Angeles basin over the past several decades. Despite the gains, unhealthy air remains.

August 20, 2012 - NOAA

The court set a standard of "reasonable anticipation" that improved cleaner technologies will be developed, allowing government agencies to set more stringent standards for that anticipated future.

June 29, 2012 - Governing

So you think cars are to blame for L.A.'s air pollution problems? That might be bull excrement, literally, reports David Biello.

May 11, 2012 - Scientific American

Joanna Zelman reports on the good news and bad news contained in the American Lung Association's just released study, "State of the Air 2012." If you live in California, you may not want to read on.

April 27, 2012 - Huffington Post

Tim Pittman makes the case that cities can make us healthier – provided we can get out of our cars – and advocates a shift in the conversation about designing cities for people.

April 13, 2012 - GenslerOnCities

Damien Cave reports on Mexico City's ambitious efforts to reduce pollution and beautify the city through the planting of vertical gardens, and other progressive pollution reducing measures.

April 11, 2012 - The New York Times

Ben Welle discusses the benefits of freeway removal programs both at home and abroad, and explores what cities have done to fill the void they leave behind.

April 11, 2012 - The City Fix

The Chinese government is taking productive steps to reduce the runaway congestion and air pollution that are making Beijing unlivable, writes Heshuang Zeng.

March 21, 2012 - The City Fix

Fiona Harvey delivers the findings of a new report from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), that predicts urban air pollution is set to become the biggest environmental cause of premature death in the coming decades.

March 19, 2012 - The Guardian

Consider adding this animated video, which explains how past planning practices created sprawl and how smart growth policies can help solve multiple problems, to your family's Sunday morning cartoon rotation.

March 18, 2012 - Saga City

With pollution levels becoming dangerous in Rome, Italy, the government is taking a hard line on driving. In late November, only cars with even-numbered license plates were allowed to drive in the city, with odd plates the next.

December 12, 2011 - TheCityFix.com