Clearing the Air: the Beginning and the End of Air Pollution
Year: 2019
Author: Tim Smedley
Rating: Informative 5/5 | Entertaining 4/5 | Inspiring 3.5/5
Image Credit: The Royal Society
This book traces Tim Smedley’s adventure of uncovering the evolution of air pollution across space and time. It starts by taking readers on a world tour of the most polluted cities, where the author exposes the singular stories and anecdotes behind each city’s pollution problem. Smedley manages to create a multi-faceted image of each city by telling his readers about his discussions with locals while also elaborating on his viewpoint. In vivid and often funny personal accounts, he describes the smell and taste of the air in each city. Apparently, the air of New Delhi is “sulphur (rotten egg) tainted and awfully heavy” whilst that of Helsinki’s smells “pristine”. What makes his descriptions so powerful is the uneasiness that transpires from Smedley’s writing, forcing the reader to put themselves in the shoes of the people who are exposed to this deadly, invisible, and inescapable poison daily.
The book then succinctly explains what air pollution consists of—what particles it involves and how they are measured. This part is particularly detailed, with plenty of examples of governments downplaying the effects of air pollution by measuring them incorrectly or setting arbitrary thresholds. If you have ever wondered what cryptic denominations such as ‘PM2.5’, ‘black carbon’, and ‘NOx mean’, then this book is for you. If you are more interested in the health consequences of air pollution, then do not worry, this is also extensively covered. Indeed, the impact of air pollution on individual and population health are described comprehensively, backed by scientific evidence, and accompanied by interviews with researchers in the field. As the book progresses, it becomes clear (pun intended) that air pollution is as much a global problem as it is a local one, although countries blame each other, often unjustifiably, for their air quality issues.
After an admittedly grim account of the state of air quality, the book finishes on an optimistic note. Smedley portrays what the future could look like if the right policies are put in place. A hopeful future necessitates changes in urban planning, transportation systems, and energy use—measures that are already being introduced to places like Milton Keynes in the UK. Such changes need to take place on a global level and be tailored to benefit the most vulnerable: the people who are exposed to the highest levels of air pollution.
Smedley’s book is an enlightening read that will make you think about how big and neglected a problem air pollution is—and how you might want to change your commuting habits.
About the book author: Tim Smedley is a freelance journalist who has written pieces for the BBC, the Financial Times, and the Guardian. Clearing the Air, his first book, was shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize 2019.
