Every breath sustains life — yet for most of humanity, every breath also carries harm. According to the State of Global Air 2025 report, published in October 2025 by the Health Effects Institute in collaboration with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, air pollution contributed to 7.9 million deaths worldwide in 2023, making it the leading environmental risk factor for death on earth.
Some 86 percent of those deaths — 6.8 million — came from noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and diabetes. For the first time, the report also linked air pollution to more than 625,000 deaths from dementia. The World Health Organization reports that 99 percent of the world's population breathes air that exceeds its guideline limits, with the heaviest burden falling on low- and middle-income countries.
Air Pollution and Health (State of Global Air 2025; WHO):
- Deaths: 7.9 million deaths in 2023 were attributed to air pollution.
- Chronic disease: 6.8 million (86%) were from heart disease, stroke, lung disease, diabetes and other NCDs.
- Dementia: Over 625,000 dementia deaths were linked to air pollution.
- Exposure: 99% of the world's people breathe air exceeding WHO guideline levels.
- Inequality: The greatest impact falls on low- and middle-income countries.
Progress That Cannot Keep Pace
Some cities have dramatically improved their air through cleaner fuels, emissions standards, and public transport. These successes prove that pollution is not inevitable. Yet globally, the problem persists as populations grow, industry expands, wildfires intensify, and billions still cook with polluting fuels at home. Economic interests often outweigh public health, and the people who suffer most have the least power to change policy.
— Revelation 11:18
The Bible acknowledges that humans would damage the earth — and it promises that God will not allow that ruin to continue indefinitely. He will intervene to stop the destruction of the planet he created.
An Earth Made Clean Again
God designed the earth to sustain human life in good health. When he finished creating it, he declared it "very good." His purpose has not changed.
— Genesis 1:31
Under God's Kingdom, the earth will be restored to that original condition. Its skies will be clear, its forests and waters healthy, and its inhabitants free from the diseases that pollution now causes.
— Isaiah 35:1
Breathing Freely Forever
Scientists and health advocates are rightly sounding the alarm, and every improvement in air quality saves lives. But the scale of the problem shows the limits of human governance. The Bible promises a government that will heal the planet itself — a world where every breath brings life, and none brings harm.
— Isaiah 33:24