By Abdullahi Lukman
The United States has discontinued the real-time transmission of air pollution data from its embassies, a crucial source of information, especially in heavily polluted regions like China and India.
This decision, attributed to budget constraints, represents a significant reduction in environmental monitoring under the Trump administration.
Since 2008, U.S. embassies have provided transparent air quality data, often revealing pollution levels higher than official figures, particularly in Beijing.
This transparency influenced Chinese authorities, prompting some efforts to address pollution. However, live data sharing was restricted within China during major events.
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Effective last Tuesday, live updates have ceased, and the program’s future is uncertain without increased funding.
The data was also widely used in New Delhi, which faces severe pollution challenges.
Environmental groups express concern over the ramifications of this cutback.
Air pollution, exacerbated by climate change, is a leading cause of premature death globally, contributing to nearly seven million deaths annually.
The discontinuation of this data stream hinders public access to vital air quality information.
