Mongolia: A toxic warning to the world - BBC News

All over the world cities are grappling with apocalyptic air pollution but the small capital of Mongolia is suffering from some of the worst in the world.

And the problem is intrinsically linked to climate change.

The country has already warmed by 2.2 degrees, forcing thousands of people to abandon the countryside and the traditional herding lifestyle every year for the smog-choked city where 90% of children are breathing toxic air every day.

Population Reporter Stephanie Hegarty finds out why.

[dizzyyu]

BBC, i know this is serious so stop using the dramatic glitching effect please.

[Pyrophallus]

Earth will survive. Mankind won't.

[michaelsummerell]

I have been in conditions like this whilst in India. The atmosphere so thick with pollution you can see the particles in the air, and difficult to breathe without coughing. Luckily for me, I was able to move from those areas quite quickly as I was travelling... but for many people, this is their home.

This can never be right.

[enkhnamarenkhbold]

As I'm from Ulan-Bator city, Mongolia, I approve of this video. We have terrible air pollution in winter especially in the morning and evening. There's no way to go out without protective mask. I hope we could solve the problem effectively soon.

[k.c]

A lot of Americans who oppose 'green' initiatives don't realize that this is what many industrialized cities in the US were like prior to the EPA and the clean air act. The underlying point of this video is also pertinent: it's not just the change itself, but also the unpredictability that is wreaking havoc ....

[seanohaimheirgin]

London had this problem in the sixties so they came up with the Clean Air Act

[vaibhavsharma]

Mongolia is the first to experience this but India will be the second to witness this on a gigantic scale....

[sprinklii]

I lived in mongolia for 3 years and it was so polluted sometimes we couldn't see car in front of us.

[andersgale]

Editor: What visual effects do you want?

Director: *Yes*

[xyaeiounn]

7:29 "He's stopped coughing since we turned it on."
Okay, you got me, that was upsetting.

[krokodyl]

All those children, 300/day hospitalized with respiratory issues, saddens me to no end. And it’s very disturbing that nothing interventional is being done to improve the ‘environmental’ situation. 🥺

[cameronsams]

Legend has it wall-e will soon be real

[Martial-Mat]

As long as money is put ahead of health and the future of the planet this will continue.

[jinkzava]

I feel like its going to get worse in the future and our lovely government will charge us for the equipment to survive

[rayleeaustralia]

Stop flickering the video. Otherwise it's a nice clip

[followveganismforahealthyl]

Just one word to all Mongolians/ Mongols - RESPECT
It was a privilege to visit their land a couple of times.
Very very cold place.
Ulaanbataar is the coldest capital of the world and most of the mountains are world heritage sites, Ulaanbataar itself is dominated by the Steppe, and the Bogd Khan mountains.
You feel humbled by the fortitude and the struggle of these people.
All you would like to do is to sleep on the green -green steppe and gaze at the blue sky .


Love you Mongolia from India.

[Baruzuland]

O dear God. We are watching our planet die. This is heartbreaking

[georgelee]

I am Chinese, I know how it feel, China is also struggling with the same problem

[theotryhard]

whats with the gimmicky editing why do these kind of shows always do this godawful editing.

[OnesFan]

Why YouTube doesn’t pin this video for every one to watch