According to research by Stanford University (USA), elevated levels of carbon dioxide are responsible for an extra 22,000 deaths every year due to air pollution effects. The study, “On the causal link between carbon dioxide and air pollution mortality” published in Geographical Research Letters, reveals that a rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) leads to an increase in respiratory illnesses by accelerating ozone production and encouraging particulates to hang around in the air.

The study, which modelled the effect of higher concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere on air pollution mortality, showed that high temperatures and increased water vapour linked to higher levels of CO2 cause an increase ozone in areas of high ozone, and an increase in particulate matter due to CO2 enhanced stability and humidity. As a result, air pollution problems are exacerbated in the most polluted areas.

The model revealed that for every 1°C rise in temperature in the US there are 1000 additional air pollution-related deaths. When the casualties are added to those of extreme weather events, the number of fatalities that can be linked to climate change is doubled.