9 Cities Around The World With The Cleanest Air And Bluest Skies
The ultimate list of places around the world with the cleanest air.
By Sadho Ram — 14 Oct 2015, 07:51 PM
Between 1.8 million and 12,000 years ago, when our ancestors learned the craft of fire building, giving us the means to cook, keep warm and forge tools, they also gave us what would later go on to become a major source of man-made pollution in the world today.
Fast forward to the current time, Malaysia now deals with annual haze problems due to Indonesia's slash-and-burn tendencies. In light of that, below are the cities around the world with clean air.
1. Kopavogur, Iceland
Kopavogur, with its glistening lakes and fresh vibe, is among the cities in the world with the cleanest air in the world. Its name literally means seal pup bay.
Current API readings in Kopavogur is 19, which is categorised as good. In comparison, Kuala Lumpur's current API reading is 80, categorised as moderate.
2. Copenhagen, Denmark
Uber, chic, and yet fantasy-like, Copenhagen is the best of modern times and pristine qualities. It is dotted with hundreds of parks and elaborate bike-pedestrian road-space. One of the cleanest metropolitan city, Copenhagen is filled with beautiful canals and narrow streets.
API readings in Copenhagen is 46, which is again categorised as good.
3. Sydney, Australia
One of the two biggest cities in Australia, Sydney also has the lowest air pollution. While the city is renowned for her stunning good looks, there's far more charm and personality to this scenic city than many give her credit for. The beautiful harbour, world-famous icons and sunny disposition are only the tip of the iceberg that is Sydney's appeal.
Similarly, Sydney's API readings are currently at 35.
4. Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
This largest city in northern Canada is the city with the least air pollution in the world.
5. Tallinn, Estonia
This small Baltic country is ranked as having the best air quality by the WHO. More than half of Tallinn's land is covered by trees and public transit helps to keep emissions low.
6. Shizuoka, Japan
Surrounded by mountains and rivers, Shizuoka is a paradise city in the heart of Japan. With Mt. Fuji in the backyard, Shizuoka is the best place to enjoy some of the world's cleanest air.
The current API readings here is at 57, which is categorised as moderate, but still better than KL.
7. Porirua, New zealand
New Zealand is famed as a destination for its unspoilt outdoors. Porirua on the Kapiti coast is the best place to enjoy New zealand's untainted air.
8. Tasmania, Australia
Tasmania lays claim to both the cleanest air and water in the planet, which is largely due to the Roaring Forties, the winds that sweep in over the Southern Ocean. It is home to the Australian government's baseline air pollution station, whose unique "Air Library" collects samples as a "pure air" yardstick for scientists worldwide.
9. Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich has a well-developed and highly efficient public transportation system of trains, boats, buses and trams to keep their air clean.
Current API readings in this city is marked at 13, categorised under good.
