Latest update:21 January 2026 at 2:22 PM IST

Smriti Irani attended a session on Mobilizing Leadership and Multi-Stakeholder Action for Clean Air in Davos.

Smriti Irani said air pollution was one of the biggest public health challenges. (Image source: X)

Smriti Irani’s presence at the World Economic Forum in Davos has sparked a debate on air pollution and air quality levels in India. The actress-turned-politician dropped a post about her attendance at a session on leadership mobilization and multi-stakeholder action for clean air, where she discussed how air pollution remains one of the biggest public health challenges.

The post comes just days after the National Capital Region (NCR) attracted attention for its Air Quality Index (AQI) deteriorating again, sparking a discussion on how to address the issue.

The session discussed “promoting people-centered solutions” and enabling “community-led initiatives” for healthier, more prosperous cities, Irani wrote. She highlighted that clean air is not just an environmental issue, but also impacts “health, urban design, transportation, energy and social justice.”

This post led many to wonder whether air pollution is a big problem only in India or in the rest of the world as well.

How do current Air Quality Index (AQI) levels vary across selected global capitals?

Air quality in Delhi and Mumbai

What are the levels of Al Qaeda in Delhi and Mumbai?

Delhi ranks among the 20 most polluted cities worldwide with an air quality index (AQI) of 450, indicating dangerous levels. Pollution is linked to winter extremes, where a layer of warm air traps cold air and PM2.5 pollutants from stubble burning and vehicle emissions.

Mumbai has an air quality index (AQI) of 290-300 (poor to severe). The city lags far behind Delhi, but pollution levels remain high due to industrial dust and coastal traffic emissions. Both Indian cities have an air quality index well above global averages and dominate South Asia’s pollution lists.

Which capitals have the worst levels of Al Qaeda in Iraq?

What is the status of Al-Qaeda in Iraq in Tashkent, Uzbekistan?

Tashkent tops the list of capitals suffering from air pollution. The city’s air quality index is over 499 (hazardous), with dust storms worsening and coal heating heating up.

What contributes to the intensity of AQI in Kathmandu, Nepal?

Kathmandu has over 400 AQI (severe) points, with brick kilns and valley traffic cited as causes.

What are the factors that make Dhaka, Bangladesh so weak in Al-Qaeda in Iraq?

Dhaka’s air quality index ranges between 350 and 400 (very poor), due to river pollution and emissions from garment factories.

What is the level of Al Qaeda in Iraq in Islamabad, Pakistan?

Islamabad records an air quality index (AQI) of around 300 (poor), mainly due to burning of crop residues and low winds.

What makes Thimphu, Al Qaeda in Bhutan, moderate?

Thimphu has managed to keep the Mesopotamian base rate moderate at 150-200 despite regional fog, due to its focus on hydropower.

Which capital cities have the best AQI levels?

How is Canberra, Australia, sustaining Al-Qaeda in Iraq?

Through bushfire controls and green policies, Canberra is able to maintain an excellent air quality index (AQI) rating of below 20.

What are the levels of AQI in London and the UK and the contributing factors?

London records an air quality index (AQI) of around 40-50, due to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) levy, which has reduced diesel pollution.

How does Washington, D.C., maintain Al-Qaeda in Iraq?

The average air quality index in Washington, D.C., is 30-40 (good), helped by the shift toward electric vehicles.

What influences Al Qaeda in Sri Lanka in Colombo?

The monsoon reduces the impact of vehicular emissions, resulting in a moderate AQI of 100-150 in Colombo.

Why does Male, Maldives, have low levels of Al-Qaeda in Iraq?

Male has an indigenous AQI of less than 30 as it is isolated by ocean winds, with little industry.

What is the status of Al-Qaeda in Iraq in the other selected capitals?

Pretoria, South Africa, has an Al-Qaeda in Iraq score between 80 and 100 (moderate). The city is affected by mining dust, but the sector is regulated. Delhi and Mumbai have a higher degree of air pollution than all the cities listed except Tashkent and Kathmandu. This makes South Asia a hotspot for air pollution.

What is the status of the global phenomenon of Al-Qaeda in Iraq?

The clusters of severe pollution in developing Asian capitals are not evenly distributed globally. In contrast, Western capitals such as Canberra or London have strict standards. About 30 percent of the world’s capital cities regularly experience poor air quality, but due to technology and policy, 70 percent of the world’s capital cities remain livable with an air quality index below 100. Poor air quality is not universal; Wind patterns, fuel types and enforcement of standards create regional crises rather than a global issue.

Which cities offer the best low pollution escape quality index globally?

Best cities with low AQI (AQI below 50, livable):

What are the advantages of living in Hobart, Australia?

Hobart has an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 10-20 and is ideal for budget living, with expenses around Rs 80,000 per month, including rent/food. It’s perfect for families escaping smog.

How does Helsinki, Finland, fare in terms of air quality index and cost of living?

Helsinki has modest expatriate costs of around 90,000 rupees per month. The Finnish capital’s air quality index (AQI) ranges between 15 and 30 and modest public health benefits outweigh the freezing winters.

Why is Reykjavik, Iceland a haven of clean air?

The focus on clean geothermal energy means that Reykjavik is able to maintain an air quality index (AQI) of 5 to 25. Expenditures amount to about Rs 1 lakh per month.

What makes Wellington, New Zealand a top-tier city in terms of air quality and liveability?

Wellington has an air quality index (AQI) between 3 and 20, with windy conditions. The city has a strong job market in the technology and environmental sectors. Monthly expenses come to Rs 70,000 – Rs 90,000 for couples.

What are some affordable matches for those with Delhi/Mumbai budgets?

How does Tallinn, Estonia, compare in terms of AQI and cost of living?

Tallinn has an air quality index between 10 and 40. She has a digital nomad visa from the European Union. Rents can reach around 30,000 rupees per month, and total living costs between 60,000 and 80,000 rupees. This reflects the cost of living in Mumbai, but with 90 percent cleaner air and access to saunas.

What is the Air Quality Index (AQI) and cost of living in Ljubljana, Slovenia?

With an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 15-35, and a low cost of living (Rs. 50,000-Rs. 70,000 per month), Ljubljana is a walkable, vegetarian-friendly option with pollution-free winters.

How does Quito, Ecuador, stand up in terms of base quality and affordability?

The AQI value in Quito ranges between 20 and 40, and the Andes Mountains reduce smog. The city offers very cheap living costs of Rs 40,000-60,000 per month, along with tropical fruits/vegetables similar to Indian food items.

What are the benefits of living in San Jose, Costa Rica?

San Jose has an air quality index between 25 and 45. Volcanic breezes, economical living costs of around Rs 50,000 per month, and beaches make the city a more livable version of Mumbai.

Budget feasibility notes

The family budget ranges from Rs 80,000 to Rs 1.2 lakh, extending far into Eastern Europe and Latin America, where rents are 50 to 70 per cent cheaper, and expenses cover healthcare and schools. People who want to move on from India’s pollution crises should avoid more expensive locations like Zurich/Canberra and choose visa-friendly places like Estonia. These cities rank among the best cities for persistently low PM2.5 levels (less than 10 µg/m3), reducing health risks to residents compared to India’s 100-plus city averages.

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