New Delhi
A dense cloud of smog nearly 2 miles thick hovers over much of Asia, changing weather patterns and making thousands of people sick, according to a U.N. study released this week. The study by 200 scientists said the “Asian Brown Cloud” is trapping heat and altering rainfall, causing droughts in some areas and floods in others. “This growing cocktail of soot, particles, aerosols, and other pollutants is becoming a major environmental hazard,” said U.N. Environment Program director Klaus Töpfer. Scientists blame the smog on the rise of Asian megacities such as New Delhi, Beijing, and Singapore, which spew tons of exhaust fumes and coal dust.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
What should you be stockpiling for 'World War Three'?In the Spotlight Britons advised to prepare after the EU tells its citizens to have an emergency kit just in case
-
Carnivore diet: why people are eating only meatThe Explainer 'Meatfluencers' are taking social media by storm but experts warn meat-only diets have health consequences
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human bloodUnder the radar Drugging the bugs
