Air Pollution in the 21st Century: Tackling the Dual Crisis of Climate and Health

Air pollution in the 21st century poses a dual threat to climate stability and public health. Fossil fuel combustion, industrial processes, and agricultural practices emit a wide range of pollutants. Aerosols modify cloud formation and precipitation, while greenhouse gases such as CO₂ and CH₄ accelerate global warming. Concurrently, degraded air quality contributes to respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and excess mortality. Chronic exposure may also increase vulnerability to infections (including respiratory viruses) and strain healthcare systems worldwide.Mitigating air pollution requires integrated strategies that address both climate and health challenges through policy interventions, technological innovation, and sustainable urban planning. Transitioning to renewable energy sources, strengthening emissions regulations, and promoting green infrastructure can significantly reduce pollutant concentrations. In addition, implementing low-emission transportation systems, expanding air-quality monitoring networks, and running public awareness campaigns can support more proactive pollution control. Innovations such as smart air filtration, carbon capture technologies, and nature-based solutions (e.g., afforestation) can further contribute to cleaner air and climate resilience. A comprehensive framework that integrates scientific research, policy enforcement, and community engagement is crucial to reducing the adverse impacts of air pollution and ensuring environmental sustainability and global public health security in the 21st century. Research articles related to this topic include, but are not limited to:• The impact of air pollution on respiratory health• Air pollution and climate change: understanding the interconnection• Urban air-quality monitoring using smart sensors and AI/ML• The role of transportation emissions in global air pollution• Indoor air pollution: hidden health risks in the modern world• Green infrastructure and urban planning for cleaner air• Health impacts of long-term exposure to airborne pollutants• Industrial emissions and policy regulations for air-quality control• Emerging technologies for air-pollution mitigation• The effects of wildfires and deforestation on atmospheric pollutionThis topic examines key pollutants such as PM₂.₅, O₃, NOₓ, and black carbon, linking emissions from fossil fuels, industry, transport, and biomass burning to respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes. It integrates epidemiological evidence with climate and air-quality models to quantify the co-benefits of reducing short-lived climate pollutants, including reduced near-term warming alongside health gains. Projections may incorporate scenarios such as vehicle electrification and cleaner energy transitions to estimate future disease burdens and emissions reductions. The scope also includes evaluating interventions such as monitoring technologies and equity-oriented policies that protect vulnerable populations (e.g., children and older adults). In addition, it explores synergies with the SDGs, environmental justice, and the economic costs of air pollution, including trillions in lost productivity. The Research Topic will consider original research, short notes, and review articles under the following themes:• Emission Sources and Trends• Health Impacts Across Lifespan• Climate-Pollution Interactions• Monitoring and Technological Advances• Policy Interventions and Equity Topic editors: Arti Choudhary, SARKAWT HAMA, Chejarla Venkatesh Reddy Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77344/air-pollution-in-the-21st-century-tackling-the-dual-crisis-of-climate-and-health