Heat, air pollution, and global temperature shocks Patrick Behrer October 07, 2026 This page in: English Español

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/impactevaluations/heat--air-pollution--and-global-temperature-shocks Developing countries face a host of environmental challenges, but two of the most significant are air pollution and climate change. Wealthy countries face both as well, but the highest levels of air pollution, the fastest growth in pollution, and the least climate-resilient populations are all in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Some policies address both problems at once (reducing coal-fired power generation, for example). But win-win solutions do not always exist. These trade-offs have led some to call for a greater focus on air pollution in LMICs, at the expense of climate, based on the view that air pollution is the more pressing problem. The argument is that air pollution causes substantial mortality and economic costs in the here and now, while climate change is a slow-moving challenge whose most damaging effects will arrive at the end of the century.