South Asia has one of the most serious air pollution problems in the world. Out of the more than 6.5 million estimated global premature deaths due to air pollution, roughly one-third occur in the region. Dirty air also has major impacts on the economy, crop yields, biodiversity, and development. The scale of the problem, and the fact that air pollution does not recognize territorial boundaries, require international cooperation. No one country can do what is needed on its own.
The Earth’s sun shield is on the road to recovery but experts say it remains a fragile.