Part 3/9:
Fossil fuel combustion stands out as a central culprit behind air pollution worldwide. The burning of coal, oil, and gas not only degrades air quality but also accelerates climate change, which presents an unprecedented risk to global health. The devastating bushfires in Australia exemplify these hazards, with hazardous air quality persisting over weeks and months. Such events have caused thousands of hospitalizations due to heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory problems. Moreover, air pollution exacerbates lung infections and pneumonia, further burdening healthcare systems and affecting vulnerable populations.