Summary:
- Over 100 children under five die every day in East Asia and the Pacific due to air pollution, according to UNICEF.
- Air pollution stunts child development, leading to lifelong health problems like asthma and cognitive delays.
- Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson recently cut short an interview in India due to extreme air pollution, calling attention to the crisis.
For millions of children, breathing isn’t just a reflex—it’s a risk. Across East Asia and the Pacific, air pollution has reached crisis levels, with UNICEF reporting that over 100 children under five die every single day from its effects. Their lungs, still fragile and developing, are bombarded by toxic particles from traffic, factories, and even the simple act of cooking indoors. With every breath, the invisible damage adds up—leading to asthma, developmental delays, and lifelong health struggles.
This crisis isn’t just playing out in scientific reports—it’s visible in the skies above major cities. In New Delhi, Dhaka, and Bangkok, thick smog is becoming a permanent fixture, forcing schools to shut down and governments to issue emergency warnings. Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, leader of the “Don’t Die” movement, recently got a firsthand taste of just how bad it’s gotten. While recording a podcast in India, he was so affected by the pollution that he had to get up and leave mid-interview. Later, he posted online:
"The air pollution in India is heartbreaking. My skin burned, my throat was sore, my eyes watered—but the worst part? Millions of children are forced to breathe this every day with no escape."
Johnson’s reaction reflects what scientists have been warning for years: air pollution isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a silent killer. Long-term exposure stunts lung growth, impairs brain development, and leads to chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes, and even heart conditions. And the costs aren’t just personal—the economic impact of pollution in East Asia and the Pacific was a staggering $2.5 trillion in 2019 alone, nearly 10% of the region’s GDP.
Cities are scrambling for solutions—Bangkok made public transport free for a week to reduce car emissions, while some governments have cracked down on illegal crop burning. But these band-aid fixes don’t address the root of the problem: an overreliance on fossil fuels and outdated energy systems that keep pollution levels sky-high. If we want cleaner air, the solutions are clear—transition to cleaner energy, invest in better urban planning, and treat air pollution like the public health emergency it is. Because no child should have to gamble with their future every time they take a breath.
