This year’s International Day for Clean Air and Blue Skiescelebrated annually on September 7, the theme is “Invest in #CleanAirNow” and highlights the economic, environmental and health benefits of investing in clean air.
The Day was founded in 2019 after the UN General Assembly noted how harmful air pollutants are and recognized the importance of clean air to people’s lives.
That was said by UN chief António Guterres Pollution is a silent killer that can be stopped and urged the world to “invest now so we can breathe a sigh of relief.”
Invest in clean air
Mr Guterres highlighted how damaging pollution can be, noting that 99 percent of humanity breathes polluted air, leading to millions of premature deaths worldwide.
“Pollution is also choking economies and warming our planet, adding fuel to the climate crisis,” the UN chief said. “And it disproportionately affects the most vulnerable in society, including women, children and the elderly.”
The Secretary-General said investing in clean air requires action by governments, businesses, development organizations and more at the regional and global levels.
Mr Guterres encourages relevant stakeholders to reduce their use of fossil fuels, switch to clean cooking and better monitor air quality.
“Investing in clean air saves lives, fights climate change, strengthens economies, builds fairer societies and promotes Sustainable Development Goals“, he said. “…let’s invest now so we can breathe a sigh of relief knowing we are securing a healthier planet for everyone.”
Air quality and climate
Mr Guterres’ message on the occasion of the international day highlights some of the challenges facing a new report of the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which describes the impacts of climate change, forest fires and air pollution on human health.
The report found that both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres experienced “hyperactive bushfire seasons” in 2023, causing widespread deaths and damage to livestock.
“The 2023 wildfire season set a multi-decade record in Canada for total area burned, with seven times more hectares burned than the 1990-2013 average, according to the Canadian National Fire Database,” the report said.
The wildfires also caused poorer air quality in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States.
For this reason, WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett has said Climate change and air quality cannot be viewed in isolation.
“They go hand in hand and need to be addressed together,” Ms Barrett said. “It would be a win-win for the health of our planet, its people and our economies to recognise the relationship and act accordingly.”
‘It knows no boundaries’
The UN Environment Programme (UN Environment Programme) who described air pollution as the “greatest environmental health risk of our time“noting that it worsens climate change, reduces agricultural productivity and causes economic loss.
Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, said: “Everyone on this planet has the right to breathe in clean airbut still this right is violated in almost everyone.”
Ms Andersen joined the UN chief’s call for global investment in clean air.
“We are asking countries, regions and cities to set robust air quality standards,” she said.
“We ask them to support renewable energy and sustainable transport, to hold industry to account with strong emissions standards, and to integrate air quality into climate action,” Ms Andersen continued.
According to UNEP, transformative changes and healthier air can be achieved if air pollution is proactively addressed.
