ABSTRACT
The air we breathe is often contaminated, and in some instances, poisonous. The very atmosphere that is essential for our existence is also responsible for widespread harm and destruction. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution causes the annual premature death of 2 million people worldwide through respiratory infections, heart disease and lung cancer – all accelerated by, or the direct result of, poor air quality (WHO 2011b). Not only are humans placed at risk, but wildlife, water, agriculture, buildings and natural heritage are also damaged by air pollutants at great financial, cultural and environmental expense. In addition, air pollution is a major contributor to climate change and the increase in so-called “natural disasters” (Van Aalst 2006). As the opening quotation from the leader of one of the world’s smallest countries reveals, the lifestyles and resulting greenhouse gas emissions of other nations have perilous consequences for the very existence of non-polluting and smaller nations; placing them in the category of “extremely vulnerable” to environmental catastrophes (EVI 2011).
