Can you imagine if blue skies and volcanoes were the norm in Mexico City, not the exception? The figures for 2024 paint an alarming picture: according to a report by the Ministry of the Environment (SEDEMA), we only enjoy 54 days with clean air and clear skies in the whole year. This means that 85% of the time we live under gray skies and polluted air, with worrying levels of ozone and PM10 and PM2.5 particles. Air quality not only affects our perception of the city, but also our health, our mood and, in the long term, the future of those who live here.
Mexico City, nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, has a geographical context that complicates the dispersion of pollutants. This, combined with population density, the enormous number of vehicles and industrial activity, has made the Valley of Mexico one of the most polluted places on the continent.
PM10 and PM2.5 particles, the main culprits of air pollution, are especially dangerous. While PM10 particles affect the upper respiratory system, PM2.5 particles-smaller and more harmful-can enter the bloodstream and cause cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and even affect the nervous system.
Ozone, another silent enemy, forms when nitrogen oxides (emitted by cars and factories) react with volatile organic compounds under sunlight. Ironically, sunny days in the capital are the most prone to high ozone levels, which can cause eye and lung irritation, as well as aggravate pre-existing respiratory diseases.
What does 311 days of contamination mean?
The impact is tangible. High levels of pollutants are directly related to an increase in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breathing polluted air contributes to more than 7 million premature deaths worldwide each year.
In the CDMX, the effects are reflected in the increase of medical consultations for allergies, asthma and bronchitis, especially in children and older adults. In addition, living constantly under gray skies has a significant psychological impact. The absence of natural light and the predominance of an opaque environment can increase stress and anxiety levels in the population.
What are we doing and what else can we do?
Although the city has implemented measures such as the Hoy No Circula program, the expansion of electric public transport and the promotion of green roofs, these actions have been insufficient to reverse the trend. In 2024, CDMX faced environmental contingencies at least once a month, a monthly reminder that we are far from reaching a sustainable solution.
Some citizen initiatives seek to generate awareness and collective action. Organizations such as @vivesinbasura promote the use of alternative transportation, the reduction of plastic consumption and the planting of trees to mitigate environmental impact. In addition, movements such as solar roofs and solid waste reduction are gaining traction among younger generations.
However, the structural change we need goes beyond individual actions. It requires stricter public policies, such as tighter emission limits for vehicles and industries, a comprehensive improvement of public transportation, and a focus on non-motorized mobility.
What would a CDMX with blue skies look like?
Imagine for a moment a city where volcanoes are visible almost every day, sunsets paint the sky in shades of orange and pink, and we can breathe deeply without fear of inhaling harmful particles. This scenario is not utopian, but it does require a concerted and sustained effort to become a reality.
CDMX needs all of us: from demanding more ambitious environmental policies to making conscious decisions in our daily lives. Let's start by reducing the use of automobiles, opting for clean energy and supporting local initiatives that work for the environment. Because, although the change is complex, the reward will be immense: seeing volcanoes clearly again, enjoying clear afternoons and normalizing the extraordinary.