VNExpress-Nov 12
A new study projects that premature deaths caused by air pollution in Southeast Asia could surge by nearly 10% by 2050, potentially inflicting economic losses of up to US$591 billion on the region if aggressive action is not taken. The research, published this month in the journal Environment International, focuses on fine particulate matter (PM2.5)-attributable premature deaths. It forecasts an increase of 7.2% under a low-emissions scenario (SSP126) and a sharper 9.6% increase under a high-emissions scenario (SSP585) by 2050. This translates to an increase of about 82,345 deaths for SSP126 and 109,608 deaths for SSP585. These scenarios, known as Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), describe possible future trajectories for global society, economy, and population. SSP126 represents a climate-friendly path with low emissions, a transition to sustainability, and strong mitigation efforts. Conversely, SSP585 is a high-emissions, fossil-fuel–intensive path characterized by rapid economic growth, heavy reliance on fossil fuels, and limited climate action, potentially leading to significant global temperature rise by 2100.
The study, led by Steve Yim, head of the Center for Climate Change and Environmental Health at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, estimates the total economic cost to the region from air pollution-related fatalities. The cost would be $447 billion if the low-emissions approach (SSP126) is followed, but it would rise to the peak estimate of $591 billion under the high-emissions approach (SSP585). Climate change itself exacerbates air pollution, as it affects the weather systems that control how pollution forms, spreads, and dissipates. Air pollution in Southeast Asia stems from various sources, including vehicle exhaust, forest fires, and coal power plants. A report published last September by the United Nation Sustainable Development Group indicated that over 90% of East and Southeast Asia’s 2.5 billion people currently breathe air with unsafe levels of PM2.5 and ground-level ozone. Read more at: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/environment/air-pollution-could-cost-southeast-asia-nearly-600b-by-2050-study-4959912.html
