By Abbas Nazil
Traffic and vehicle emissions have emerged as the leading cause of urban air pollution, according to a new social media poll conducted by NatureNews Africa across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.
The poll, which drew responses from a wide range of environmental enthusiasts, researchers, and citizens concerned about air quality, revealed that 36 percent of respondents believe traffic and vehicle emissions are the biggest contributors to air pollution in cities.
Industrial activities followed closely, with 24 percent of participants identifying them as a major cause.
This reflects growing public awareness of the role of factories, power plants, and manufacturing operations in releasing pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter into the atmosphere.
Open waste burning ranked third, receiving 21 percent of the votes.
Respondents noted that the practice of burning household and industrial waste in open spaces remains common in many African cities, leading to the release of toxic smoke and greenhouse gases that harm both human health and the environment.
Meanwhile, 19 percent of participants pointed to poor city planning as a significant factor behind persistent urban pollution.
Inadequate transport infrastructure, poor waste management systems, and the absence of green spaces were cited as urban design flaws that worsen air quality and make cities less livable.
Environmental experts say the poll highlights the urgent need for African cities to adopt sustainable urban policies.
They recommend improved public transport systems, stricter emission standards, and more effective waste management strategies to curb the pollution crisis.
NatureNews Africa, which focuses on climate and environmental reporting across the continent, noted that the poll reflects increasing public concern about the health impacts of pollution, including respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and reduced life expectancy.
The organization emphasized that while awareness is growing, stronger government action, community participation, and private sector accountability are necessary to address the root causes of urban air pollution.
The results demonstrate that citizens recognize pollution as a shared problem requiring immediate, coordinated solutions to protect both people and the planet.