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US Air Pollution Deaths Nearly Halved Between 1990 and 2010 (eurekalert.org)
An anonymous reader quotes a report from EurekAlert: Air pollution in the U.S. has decreased since about 1990, and a new study conducted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill now shows that this air quality improvement has brought substantial public health benefits. The study, published in the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, found that deaths related to air pollution were nearly halved between 1990 and 2010. The team's analyses showed that deaths related to air pollution exposure in the U.S. decreased by about 47 percent, dropping from about 135,000 deaths in 1990 to 71,000 in 2010.
These improvements in air quality and public health in the U.S. coincided with increased federal air quality regulations, and have taken place despite increases in population, energy and electricity use, and vehicle miles traveled between 1990 and 2010. [...] Still, despite clear improvements, air pollution remains an important public health issue in the U.S. The estimated 71,000 deaths in 2010 translates to 1 of every 35 deaths in the U.S. -- that's as many deaths as we see from all traffic accidents and all gun shootings combined.
These improvements in air quality and public health in the U.S. coincided with increased federal air quality regulations, and have taken place despite increases in population, energy and electricity use, and vehicle miles traveled between 1990 and 2010. [...] Still, despite clear improvements, air pollution remains an important public health issue in the U.S. The estimated 71,000 deaths in 2010 translates to 1 of every 35 deaths in the U.S. -- that's as many deaths as we see from all traffic accidents and all gun shootings combined.
All the ones on the books from 2011 onwards? Sure. They weren't designed to help anyone. They were designed to bring down a dying industry.
This news isn't radical climate scaremongering! How dare you not spread the word that we're on the ragged edge of total clipocalypse at all times?! Gaia is angered! Our glorious Prophet Gore came down from the mountainside where his 4th enormous mansion was built, to tell us the many ways we have sinned. Lo! The transferring of our wealth to the poor and humble, for the world is indeed theirs, that is the only way into grace! The Church is going to need its cut, of course. Have to spread the word; denounce heretics, travel to important gatherings. Which happen to be held at 5 star vacation resort villages, obviously so we can see first hand just how threatened these majestic paradises are.