Clearing the Air: SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROYAL SOCIETY SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE

by Tim Smedley

Overview

**SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROYAL SOCIETY INSIGHT INVESTMENT SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE 2019**

'Read this book and join the effort to terminate air pollution.' - Arnold Schwarzenegger

Air pollution has become the world's greatest environmental health risk, and science is only beginning to reveal its wide-ranging effects. Globally, 19,000 people die each day from air pollution, killing more than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and car accidents combined.

What happened to the air we breathe?

Sustainability journalist Tim Smedley has travelled the world to try and find the answer, visiting cities at the forefront of the fight against air pollution, including Delhi, Beijing, London and Paris. With insights from the scientists and politicians leading the battle against it, and people whose lives have been affected by it, Clearing the Air tells the full story of air pollution for the first time: what it is, which pollutants are harmful, where they come from and – most importantly – what we can do about them.

Air pollution is a problem that can be solved. The stories uncovered on this journey show us how.

'Compulsory reading' - Chris Boardman

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472953339
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	01/26/2021
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.05(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Tim Smedley, author of The Last Drop, is an award-winning environmental journalist who has written extensively for The Guardian, the BBC, The Sunday Times and The Financial Times. His first book, Clearing the Air, about the global effects of air pollution, was shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize.

Table of Contents

Prologue 9

Part I Origins

Chapter 1 The Greatest Smog? 21

Chapter 2 Life's a Gas 49

Chapter 3 Particulate Matters 71

Chapter 4 No Smoke Without Fire 93

Chapter 5 The Dash for Diesel 109

Chapter 6 Struggling to Breathe 141

Part II Fightback

Chapter 7 The Greatest Smog Solution? 161

Chapter 8 Electric Dreams 207

Chapter 9 Road Rage 237

Chapter 10 What Price Fresh Air? 267

Epilogue 297

The Clean Air Blueprint: For Cities 305

The Clean Air Blueprint: For You 307

References 309

Acknowledgements 313

Index 315

Editorial Reviews

Air pollution is a serious problem that we all have the power to solve. Tim Smedley's book, Clearing the Air, shows how the fightback against air pollution works. Tim's book is action-packed and his global journey of discovery uncovers the real heroes who are taking a stand and fighting for their right to breathe clean air. Read this book and join the effort to terminate air pollution.” —Arnold Schwarzenegger, 38th Governor of California

“Whether describing Paris's Journee sans Voiture or electric buses in Beijing and Milton Keynes, Clearing the Air not only suggests that tackling pollution is possible, but also shows how, in many places, the work is already being done. In a news cycle that increasingly informs us that all hope is lost, it is uplifting to read that Smedley, an award-winning sustainability journalist, does not think so.” —Times Literary Supplement

“Clearing the Air is incredibly well researched with plenty of numbers and facts to back up Smedley's arguments. This is an important book and one that I whole-heartedly recommend. Even if politicians are slow to take measures about the air quality where you live, Clearing the Air will help you to play your part in creating a cleaner and healthier future.” —Chemistry World

“Clearing the Air sets out in simple terms the monumental damage that dirty air is causing to us and our environment. It also gives us the remarkably simple, logical solutions that need embracing across the world. Compulsory reading.” —Chris Boardman, Olympic Gold Medallist and Greater Manchester's Cycling and Walking Commissioner

“Tim Smedley's indignation about the years of cover-ups and lies by governments and corporations is well founded. There are scientific details packed between the covers of this personal account – atmospheric chemistry, automative engineering, health effects and much more. The technical details are woven seamlessly into the story. It left me with a growing feeling of hope: people around the world are demanding breathable air!” —Mary Nichols, Chair of the California Air Resources Board (CARB)

“A wonderfully written book that takes you through the fascinating and terrifying story of air pollution, and explains how billions of people unwittingly ended up breathing toxic air. What Tim does so well is to articulate a simple truth that ultimately leaves you with hope: it doesn't have to be this way. Air pollution is a man-made problem and Clearing the Air sets out the simple steps that governments and individuals must take to ensure that everyone can breathe clean air. Read it and take action!” —James Thornton, CEO, ClientEarth

“A thoughtful, worthwhile book that fulfils the important role of observing air pollution across widespread regions of the world. China is not the first country to experience the environmental impacts of industrialization, and it will not be the last.” —Ma Jun, Director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, Beijing, China

From the Publisher