Key Impact Points
- Global Action Required: The UN urges stakeholders to invest in clean air to improve health, combat climate change, and drive economic growth.
- Health and Economic Benefits: Reducing pollution can save lives, strengthen economies, and advance global sustainable goals.
- Urgency Amid Climate Crisis: The UN stresses that air quality and climate change must be addressed together for long-term global benefits.
Overview
The International Day for Clean Air and Blue Skies, celebrated annually on 7 September, focuses this year on the theme ‘Invest in #CleanAirNow’, emphasizing the significant economic, environmental, and health benefits of investing in clean air. Established by the UN General Assembly in 2019, the day serves as a reminder of the critical need to address air pollution, a silent but deadly global issue.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the dangers of pollution, stating that 99% of the world’s population breathes polluted air, leading to millions of premature deaths annually. He stressed the need for urgent investment in clean air initiatives at regional and global levels.
Pollution’s Impact on Health and Climate
Pollution affects economies, accelerates climate change, and disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable populations, including women, children, and the elderly. Mr. Guterres called on governments, businesses, and development organizations to reduce their use of fossil fuels, promote clean cooking practices, and enhance air quality monitoring.
“Investing in clean air saves lives, combats climate change, strengthens economies, and advances the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Guterres said. “Let’s invest now so we can breathe easy knowing we are securing a healthier planet for all.”
Related Article: UNDP and Philippine Government Collaborate on Comprehensive Climate Finance Strategy
Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality
This year’s UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report detailed the connection between climate change, wildfires, and air pollution. The report highlighted the devastating impacts of wildfires in 2023, particularly in Canada, which set records for total area burned. These fires significantly worsened air quality across Canada and the northeastern United States.
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Ko Barrett, WMO Deputy-Secretary-General, emphasized that climate change and air quality must be tackled together: “They go hand-in-hand and must be addressed together. It would be a win-win for the health of our planet, its people, and our economies to recognize the interrelationship and act accordingly.”
Air Pollution Knows No Borders
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) reiterated the urgent need for global action on air pollution, calling it the biggest environmental health risk of our time. UNEP’s Executive Director, Inger Andersen, emphasized the right to clean air, noting that this right is being violated for nearly everyone on the planet. “We are asking nations, regions, and cities to establish robust air quality standards, invest in renewable energy and sustainable transport, and hold industries accountable through strict emission standards,” Andersen said.
UNEP believes that with proactive measures, transformative change can lead to healthier air and a better future for all.
