This Map Shows Exactly How Polluted The Earth Is

Images taken by the European Space Agency (ESA) show the pollution levels across the world – and the amount of it will shock you.

The images, taken by the agency’s Sentinel-5P satellite, show the amount of air pollutants around the world on November 22, and displayed high nitrogen dioxide pollution levels in Europe plus an exploding volcano in Bali.

Sentinel-5P, which was launched on October 13, is able to map the levels of carbon monoxide, methane, nitrogen dioxide and other air pollutants hazardous to human health or contributing to global warming.

This image shows air pollution all over the globe

The picture shows a planet that is being slowly choked by pollution.

The nitrogen dioxide in Europe is caused mainly by emissions from vehicle and industrial processes, and is especially apparent over western Germany, the Italian Po Valley, the Netherlands and areas of Spain.

High levels of carbon monoxide levels are visible over areas of Asia, South America, and Africa, and are commonly produced by fires.

This image shows an erupting volcano in Bali

This image shows air pollution over Europe

Amazingly, the satellite has picked up also show sulphur dioxide, ash and smoke from the erupting Mount Agung volcano in Bali last month.
Speaking to the Mail Online, Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, said: ‘Sentinel-5P is the sixth satellite for the EC Copernicus environmental monitoring programme but the first dedicated to monitoring our atmosphere.
‘These first images offer a tantalising glimpse of what’s in store and are not only an important milestone for the Sentinel-5P mission, but also an important milestone for Europe.
‘Data such as we see here will soon underpin the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, and will be used to issue forecasts, and will ultimately be valuable for helping to put appropriate mitigation policies in place.’
The ESA say that the satellite images provide the most detailed look at worldwide air pollutants, and the sensor used to record them is the most sensitive of its kind of date.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.