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Pollution Pods Take Centre Stage at WHO Global Conference in Cartagena

Visitors to the WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Cartagena are being offered a unique and visceral experience of the world’s most pressing environmental crisis—air pollution. The Pollution Pods, created by artist Michael Pinsky, have been installed at the event, allowing delegates and attendees to physically step into the air quality of different global environments.

Each pod simulates pollution from distinct sources including transport, industry, agriculture, energy, and domestic activity, offering a powerful, multisensory insight into the invisible threats surrounding us. The installation highlights not only the differences between urban airscapes across the globe but also the shared urgency to act on climate and public health.

Supported by the World Health Organization, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, and the University of East London, the Pollution Pods serve as a compelling call to action. As policymakers, scientists, and health professionals gather to address air quality challenges, the pods underscore the lived reality behind the data.

For many, it’s not just statistics in a report—it’s in the air they breathe.