World failing to tackle deadly pollution crisis?

New research from Europe’s environmental watchdog says hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk from air pollution in the next two decades.

And the European Environment Agency says governments are failing to act. Out of 20 environmental trends identified by the agency, not one is expected to improve.

A study said: “Projected improvements in air quality … are not expected to be sufficient to prevent continuing harm to health and the environment”.

India has been ranked by the World Health Organisation as having 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities.

A study just out in Mumbai estimates that high levels of pollution are likely to reduce life expectancy at birth by 3.2 years.

China is making strides to tackle its air quality, bringing in a law which subjects polluters to unlimited fines.

But a video released this week blaming corporate greed and a lack of political will to tackle the problem has gone viral, racking up more than three million hits.

So how much harm is being done by pollution, to the planet and its people? And are governments doing enough to clear the air?

Presenter: Sami Zeidan

Guests:

Sarath Guttikunda – founder and director of Urban Emissions.

Victor Gao – Chariman of the China Energy Security Institute.

Joris den Blanken – EU climate policy director at Greenpeace.