African air pollution is spiralling

Published in MPW, 19 Mar 2014

Air pollution from African cities is set to increase dramatically over the next two decades, according to scientists in France and the Ivory Coast. Their study warns that by 2030 the continent’s anthropogenic emissions are likely to equal its forest-fire emissions, while its organic carbon emissions could account for 50% of the worldwide total.

The topic of urban pollution is fast becoming important for Africa. Until recently, the continent was considered a strong emitter of pollutants only from rural forest-fires, but an increase in traffic, domestic fires, industry and other sources of combustion has led it to be seen as a strong emitter of urban pollutants too, like China and India.

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