How air pollution could destroy some of the most iconic locations

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29 April 2022

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29 April 2022

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by Mauricio Ruiz

Mauricio Ruiz is a writer and journalist who has lived in the US, Belgium, Mexico and Norway. His work has appeared in Words Without Borders, Catapult, The Common, The Rumpus, Electric Literature, JMWW, River Teeth, Literal Magazine, among others. He’s been shortlisted for the Bridport Prize and Myriad Editions Competition in the UK, as well as the Fish Short Story Prize in Ireland. He has received fellowships from OMI writers (NY), Société des auteurs (Belgium), Jakob Sande (Norway), Can Serrat (Spain), and the Three Seas’ Council (Rhodes). His second book, Silencios al sur, was published in early 2017, and his work has partially been translated into Dutch and French. Mauricio Ruiz can be followed on Twitter and Instagram.

29 April 2022

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During the months of the pandemic, the levels of air pollution were considerably reduced in all cities of the world. Some of of those destinations shone with an intensity not seen for decades.

Environmentalists have stated that this was a wake-up call to the entire planet. But despite decades of campaigns and policy changes, air pollution continues to worsen for more than half the world’s population.

To try to raise awareness about the importance of taking care of the quality of the air quality and its effects on the city, HouseFresh has collected images that show what certain locations would look like if the level of air pollution increased.

1. New York City

It is, without a doubt, one of the great symbols of this city, an emblematic art deco of American sophistication. As early as the 1960s, the harmful effect of air pollution in its buildings was a concern. These days, the Department of Environmental Protection suggests that 6% of deaths in New York City are related to air pollution.

Paris,Eiffel,Tower,And,Skyline,Aerial,View,In,France

2. London

The imposing and majestic Tower Bridge was built to facilitate urban commerce in the late 19th century, just a few years before a London physician, Harold Des Veaux, invented the word "smog" (smoke + fog).

But London's air pollution from burning coal predates the Victorian bridge by at least six centuries. In 2021, the city's mayor unveiled a 10-point plan to reduce air pollution, noting that "there is a significant peak in concentrations during morning school hours."

3. Rio de Janeiro

It took nine years to build the concrete Christ, symbol of Rio de Janeiro's skyline. But since then that skyline has been polluted by the fumes from Brazil's main steel complex, as well as from many other industrial sites. And that is because the city failed to reduce air pollution "within the limits recommended by the World Health Organization," as promised before the 2016 Olympics.

4. Hong Kong

A must-see when in Hong Kong, as it offers views with many contrasts: from the hills to the cityscape. But it is also a rare breath of fresh air. Unfortunately the city's air is not so fresh, and the annual hours of reduced visibility in the city have quadrupled in the last two decades.

5. Toronto

It is one of the largest car-free urban areas on the planet. As a true Ontario oasis, Toronto's islands are the place to enjoy numerous outdoor activities. Unfortunately, the air from the nearby wildfires puts the region in second place in the "world's worst air" challenge.

How air pollution could destroy some of the most iconic locations

8 out of 10 Europeans have contracted Covid-19, estimates the European Commission

Boeing lost 1.1 billion on Air Force One contract with Donald Trump

1. New York City

2. London

3. Rio de Janeiro

4. Hong Kong

5. Toronto

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