Cities in both Asia and the United States are identified as major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, with Shanghai standing out as the most polluting city according to recent data. The analysis, conducted through a combination of satellite and ground observations alongside artificial intelligence technology, aimed to quantify carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and traditional air pollutants on a global scale, encompassing over 9,000 urban areas.
Among the top emitters, Shanghai ranks the highest, surpassing several countries in its greenhouse gas output, with other major cities like Tokyo, New York City, and Houston also featuring prominently in the list of top emitters if they were considered as individual countries. Notably, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore highlighted a significant pollution site in the Permian Basin, Texas, labeling it as the worst globally, even outpacing notoriously polluted areas in Russia and China.
While countries like China, India, Iran, Indonesia, and Russia experienced an increase in emissions, others such as Venezuela, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States witnessed a decline in pollution levels. The comprehensive dataset, curated by a collaboration of scientists and analysts, delved into various pollutants associated with burning fossil fuels, emphasizing the critical health risks posed by such environmental degradation.