# Most of us breathe unhealthy air. What can we do?

   Film by Mohammad Shahhosseini    Air pollution cuts short the lives of more than 8 million people every year. It kills more people than smoking or an unhealthy diet. Plus, many sources of air pollution are also driving climate change. That means air pollution is hitting our health with a one-two punch — contaminating our air and worsening extreme weather.

What can we do about it?

Environmental Defense Fund expert Veronica Southerland explains why we should no longer think about air pollution and climate change as separate problems with separate solutions. Instead, we need to [tackle both problems together](https://www.edf.org/health/how-are-our-air-and-climate-connected) — with more air quality monitors and by supporting government policies that cut pollution, such as zero emission transportation, tighter air quality standards, expanded access to clean energy and more.

 

 

 

  

   Topics - [ Climate and energy ](/on-film?topic=21&subcategory=21)
- [ People and planet ](/on-film?topic=34&subcategory=34)
- [ Clean air ](/on-film?topic=34&subcategory=35)
- [ Clean energy ](/on-film?topic=21&subcategory=27)
- [ Climate change ](/on-film?topic=21&subcategory=26)
- [ Methane ](/on-film?topic=21&subcategory=22)
 
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  Topics - [ Climate and energy ](/on-film?topic=21&subcategory=21)
- [ People and planet ](/on-film?topic=34&subcategory=34)
- [ Clean air ](/on-film?topic=34&subcategory=35)
- [ Clean energy ](/on-film?topic=21&subcategory=27)
- [ Climate change ](/on-film?topic=21&subcategory=26)
- [ Methane ](/on-film?topic=21&subcategory=22)
 
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