[BACO-25] Warning: 8 Million Premature Deaths Annually Due to Air Pollution

Zhu Tong, Peking University Professor, Delivers Keynote at 'BACO-25'
"Climate Change and Air Pollution Directly Impact Health"
Proposes "Solving Through International Cooperation"

"Every year, approximately 8 million people die prematurely due to indoor and outdoor air pollution."

This is the stark warning from Zhu Tong, a leading air pollution expert and one of China's top scholars, who is a professor at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering at Peking University.

On July 22, during the second day of the '2025 International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) Meteorology, Oceanography, and Cryosphere International Conference (BACO-25)' held at BEXCO in Busan, Professor Zhu delivered a keynote speech titled "Severe Health Impacts of Air Pollution." He stated, "Compared to pre-industrial times, human activities have significantly altered the composition of the atmosphere, resulting in global air pollution and climate change."

Professor Zhu Tong of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering at Peking University is delivering the keynote speech at the '2025 International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) Meteorology, Oceanography, and Cryosphere International Conference (BACO-25)' held at BEXCO in Busan on the 22nd. Provided by the BACO-25 Organizing Committee

Professor Zhu emphasized that in order to prevent such situations, "it is essential to promote large-scale international scientific programs that coordinate scientific research and policy on air pollution control, as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation."

Introducing China's experience and achievements in improving air quality, he explained, "Improvements in air quality have led to significant health benefits, such as a reduction in life expectancy loss caused by PM2.5 (fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less). This demonstrates that air pollution affects the entire human lifespan and overall reproductive capacity."

Professor Zhu analyzed that PM2.5 is responsible for 40% of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 26% of deaths from stroke, 20% of deaths from ischemic heart disease, 19% of deaths from lung cancer, 30% of deaths from lower respiratory infections, 20% of neonatal deaths, and 20% of deaths from diabetes.

He further explained that climate change has a real impact on health. Abnormal temperatures (either high or low) contribute to a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, metabolic diseases, mental disorders, and reproductive disorders. Abnormal temperatures have a significant impact on stroke, and both daily average temperature and temperature range have been found to be related to mortality rates in China.

Based on Professor Zhu's research findings, China strongly implemented national action plans for air pollution prevention and control from 2013 to 2017, as well as the Winning Blue Sky action from 2018 to 2020, which significantly reduced air pollution compared to 2013.

Professor Zhu stressed, "You can clearly feel that the sky over Beijing has become much clearer," adding, "Various statistics and data also prove that there have been significant improvements in terms of health."

Professor Zhu Tong of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering at Peking University is delivering the keynote speech at the '2025 International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) Meteorology, Oceanography, and Cryosphere International Conference (BACO-25)' held at BEXCO in Busan on the 22nd. Provided by the BACO-25 Organizing Committee

Regarding the cooperative relationship between Korea, China, and Japan, which are located in the same climate zone, he assessed that "more effort is needed." He stated, "The three countries have been consistently discussing fine particulate matter, but beyond that, there are limitations," and added, "There is a need to expand trilateral discussions on climate change, with the participation of more scientists."

Regarding the recent increase in climate variability, he asserted that it is "a matter of (carbon) emissions." Professor Zhu stated, "Efforts to reduce emissions must continue," and explained, "By reducing emissions, we can to some extent control climate change and also improve air pollution issues."

He also mentioned the negative impacts of frequent wildfires. Professor Zhu pointed out, "When wildfires occur, black carbon contained in the smoke has a significant impact on air pollution."

He explained, "Globally increasing wildfires cause large-scale air pollution in downstream areas, increasing exposure to PM2.5 and ozone and harming human health. PM2.5 from wildfires has a greater acute impact on the respiratory system than other sources." He further added, "It is estimated that between 2000 and 2014, exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from wildfires caused the deaths of 860,000 children annually worldwide."

To address problems such as climate change and air pollution, he stressed the need for "international cooperation."

Professor Zhu proposed, "International action is needed to coordinate scientific research and policy on air pollution control, as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation," and suggested, "We must promote a large-scale international scientific program to conduct integrated research on the 'nexus (ARCH)' of air pollution, climate change, and health, which all influence each other."