How clean is the air you breathe?
According to a new report, a mere seven countries on the planet meet the international air quality standard, while dangerous levels of air pollution are on the rise in particular areas due to both an uptick in economic activity and the toxic impact of wildfire smoke.
The World Air Quality Report draws on data from over 30,000 monitoring stations in 134 countries, territories, and regions. Where does our nation stand in this report? Continue reading to learn more about the top 10 countries with the BEST air quality!
… You may want to move there immediately!
Iceland
Iceland is at the top of the list, and we can see why! The government actively battles climate change daily. The country’s environmental agency constantly monitors the air quality to ensure it’s suitable. But private companies are taking things into their own hands, as well.
According to Global Citizen, Swiss company Climeworks created a way to suck carbon dioxide air and turn it into rock. They’ve installed fans in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik. It’s a revolutionary but pricey way to combat climate change, but it also works.
Grenada
There are over 6 million premature deaths from air pollution annually, and almost every country worldwide suffers from a lack of healthy air quality. According to a report by IQAir, only a few countries have healthy air standards. Grenada happens to be one of them.
They’re actively combating climate change and have installed machines to measure air quality nationwide. And with all that, even though their PM2.5 is low, they can still get air pollution from the Saharan dust that travels across the Atlantic to the Caribbean islands.
Australia
Australia is another country that actively combats terrible air quality. The National Clean Air Agreement, launched in 2015, helps train local and state governments on what to do and how to address the problems surrounding climate change and air quality.
Nevertheless, the most significant threats concerning air quality in Australia are bushfire smoke, city traffic, company waste and emissions, and dust storms due to droughts.
Canada
Canada seems to be maintaining a pleasant balance between nature and technological progress. Despite being one of the biggest countries in the world, it also enjoys a very low population.
Forests cover vast tracts of land, and the country’s population is concentrated mainly in the more temperate south. Due to the great care taken in preserving its wildlife, the nation offers the cleanest air to breathe in.
New Zealand
New Zealand’s leadership in the climate change war is impressive. Regional governments continuously monitor air quality to ensure it complies with the World Health Organization’s recommendations of what good air quality comprises.
The nation’s government has funded public transportation and passed clean energy initiatives to additionally ensure the country is on the right path. Likewise, nonprofit organizations in New Zealand have helped with air quality monitoring in different cities.
Brunei Darussalam
Brunei can be easily categorized as one of the most developed nations in Asia. Along with its development, the nation has continuously maintained clean air standards.
This remote country may have a tiny population that’s unknown to all, but it’s a clear example of success in the region due to its clean air.
Estonia
Estonia is proud to be environmentally mindful. As a country, they want to be leaders in the fight against climate change. A massive 50% of the nation is protected forest, and that’s one of the reasons why Estonia is at the top of the list of countries with safe air.
University researchers in Estonia have created a platform to see which structures need better indoor air conditions to be renovated.
It’s a revolutionary way of ensuring indoor air quality and getting the attention it deserves, especially if individuals spend a lot of time indoors during harsh winters.
Finland
Finland enjoys clean air, nearly twice as clean as neighboring Norway’s. Forests and wildlife in this nation have nothing to fear of pollution, much like its population, which understands that maintaining its clean air is paramount.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago has a PM2.5 of 5.1, which is just a bit over the recommendations from the World Health Organization for good air quality levels. The country has taken huge strides to ensure a lower PM2.5 recently, though.
The government recently installed air quality monitoring systems, but we must mention that there is still a concern regarding landfill waste and the illegal burning ofit.
So far, nonprofit organizations and activists have taken action but are demanding that the government pass legislation to combat landfill waste burning altogether.
Denmark
Denmark is well-known for offering its residents a fantastic quality of life and clean air. Air pollution in Denmark is almost half that of neighboring Germany, which can scarcely say it has much more to offer its people than the Danish.
What are YOUR thoughts on this matter? Please feel free to share them with us in the comments below. Meanwhile, if you liked this article, we highly recommend you also check out: 7 Devastating Volcanic Eruptions That Reshaped the World
