Written by AZoCleantechJan 27 2021
For a long time, world economies have been powered by the combustion of fossil fuels that has also contributed to the accumulation of greenhouse gases and air pollution.
The city of Denver, Colorado, blanketed by smog. Image Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
According to Penn State researchers, a new study of around 20 years of satellite data demonstrates that quality of air, fossil-fuel combustion, and economic growth are closely related on the national and continental levels, but can be decoupled nationally.
We know air pollution and economic development are linked, but we want to know how tightly and whether our actions can change this. We found they are not inherently bonded and can be decoupled under favorable policies.