标题：Environmentally vulnerable or sensitive groups exhibiting varying concerns toward air pollution can drive government response to improve air quality
摘要：SummaryAir pollution seriously threatens human health, and its consequences are particularly prevalent among environmentally vulnerable or sensitive groups. However, whether the concerns among these groups are different and how they affect air pollution governance remain unclear. Here, we extract 3.8 million haze-related posts from China’s Sina Weibo and analyze the concerns raised by these groups by constructing an air pollution notability index. The results show that protection is the key theme for women aged 20–35 years, while elderly individuals are easily influenced by haze-related product ads yet lack awareness of scientific-based protection. Concerns shared by young individuals are more effective in pressuring the government in cities that experience higher levels of pollution. Concerns shared by women are more effective in cities that experience lower levels of pollution. This study evidences the influence of the public concerns conveyed via social media on air pollution governance in China.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Online haze concerns from environmentally vulnerable groups can drive air clean•Government response to their concern plays the key role in improving air quality•When PM2.5 exceeds 200 μg/m3, their concern shifts from self-protection to governance•Elders are easily drawn by haze-related ads yet lack aware of scientific protectionAtmospheric science; Environmental health; Pollution; Environmental issues
