Thought Piece
After reading the recently published Lancet Report for the first time, I am struck by a few thoughts: The narrative of the study could have been written by any number of environmental groups; the actual statistics tell a different story; and, finally the real story which may very well be about the effects of poverty and pollution on local populations.
While the debate about climate change will rage on, the importance of clean water, good sanitation, domicile ventilation, reliable electricity, and modern health care to local inhabitants is clearly settled.
I am interested in hearing other points of view, before I read the Lancet Study, again. Steve
The Lancet Commission on pollution and health
Executive Summary
For decades, pollution and its harmful effects on people’s health, the environment, and the planet have been neglected both by Governments and the international development agenda. Yet, pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and death in the world today, responsible for an estimated 9 million premature deaths.
The Lancet Commission on pollution and health addresses the full health and economic costs of air, water, and soil pollution. Through analyses of existing and emerging data, the Commission reveals pollution’s severe and underreported contribution to the Global Burden of Disease. It uncovers the economic costs of pollution to low-income and middle-income countries. The Commission will inform key decision makers around the world about the burden that pollution places on health and economic development, and about available cost-effective pollution control solutions and strategies.
