Although Australians enjoy air quality that’s better than in many parts of the world, three times as many of us are dying prematurely from air pollution than from traffic accidents.

This report identifies the key culprits as coal, oil and gas. These fossil fuels emit most of the toxins we’re breathing in, as well as the climate pollution that’s overheating our planet and driving unnatural disasters. At every stage of their production, and no matter how they are used, fossil fuels are harming us.

This report explores the latest research, from Australia and internationally, on how air pollution is harming Australians today, and explains why children - who are still growing, breathe faster and spend more time outdoors - are particularly vulnerable.

Key Findings 

1. Coal, oil and gas is causing most of the air pollution we’re breathing in, as well as the climate pollution overheating our planet and driving unnatural disasters.
2. Over three times as many Australians are dying prematurely from air pollution than those in traffic accidents.
3. Australian children are losing many more years of good health to disease or illness from air pollution than they are to secondhand tobacco smoke. 
4. Traffic pollution is harming children, and it’s preventable. New analysis shows one in every six schools and childcare centres within our capital cities are close enough to major roads to raise health risks for the children who attend.
5. We can’t easily move childcare centres or schools away from busy roads, but we can clean up air pollutants from traffic. This will create immediate health benefits for our kids.