The Air Is Getting Much Cleaner in This Country

Over the course of seven years, China has significantly reduced its air pollution by adopting drastic measures, thus contributing to cutting back the global smog levels and serving as a prime example of how quickly progress can be made with political will.

“China’s success in reducing pollution is a strong indication of the opportunities that could lie ahead for other nations if they were to impose strong pollution policies, as some are beginning to do,” say researchers affiliated with the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago. 

Between 2013 and 2020, the number of harmful particles in the air fell by 40%, mainly by imposing restrictions on car use and coal burning. According to the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute, such a reduction, if sustained, could add two years to the average life expectancy.