Three Australian cities—Hobart, Darwin, and Canberra—rank among the top 10 global cities with the lowest levels of air pollution, according to a recent study by Auto Trader.
The analysis of nearly 400 cities worldwide, based on an “air quality index” score, placed Hobart in third, Darwin in fourth, and Canberra in tenth.
These cities were praised for their clean air, with Hobart benefiting from its proximity to the ocean, smaller population, and less traffic, while Darwin’s ranking was impacted by its overall lower levels of pollution.
However, experts are questioning the validity of these findings. Professor Fay Johnston, a public health physician and environmental epidemiologist, challenged the methodology behind the analysis.
She pointed out that Darwin has consistently recorded some of the worst air quality in Australia, largely due to smoke from savanna fires, which significantly impacts the region’s air pollution levels.
Johnston argued that the global air quality index, while useful, fails to reflect the true picture of air pollution, especially when it conflicts with local environmental data.
Clare Walter, an air pollution researcher, also cautioned against complacency, emphasizing that even low levels of pollution can still have serious health implications.
Health experts urge action on air pollution, citing risks to children and vulnerable communities.She linked air pollution to a range of health issues, including asthma, respiratory infections, and heart disease, noting that vehicle emissions and wood heaters are major contributors to chronic pollution in Australian cities.
While the Auto Trader study may prompt some cities to take action, Walter stressed that the notion of “good air quality” in Australia could hinder the urgent measures needed to address air pollution.
She pointed to Melbourne’s inner-west, which faces high pollution from diesel trucks, as an example of how localized sources of pollution are often overlooked in broader studies.
Public health experts like Dr. Kate Charlesworth from the Climate Council echoed the concern that Australians may underestimate the dangers of air pollution.
She highlighted that exposure to poor air quality, particularly in areas like schools and childcare centers, is especially harmful to children, potentially leading to long-term developmental issues.
To improve air quality, experts suggest policies like anti-idling measures, restrictions on wood heaters, and greater investment in public and active transport.
These actions, they argue, could lead to cleaner air and better health outcomes for all Australians.
The study may have highlighted Australia’s relatively clean air compared to some global cities, but the work is far from over in tackling air pollution in urban centers.
As Charlesworth stated, “You can’t move schools and childcare centers, but you can clean up the air.”