Nairobi, 7 September 2024 – The world marked the fifth annual International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies today, as calls for urgent investments in clean air solutions intensified. With air pollution increasingly recognized as both a public health crisis and significant economic burden, the necessity for immediate action has never been clearer. A staggering more than 99 percent of humanity is currently breathing polluted air, leading to over 8 million annual deaths, of which more than 700,000 are children under five.
Dirty air does not discriminate; it affects everyone but has disproportionately severe impacts on vulnerable groups including women, children, and the elderly. The severity of the air pollution problem has escalated to the point where it now ranks as the second leading cause of early death worldwide, surpassing tobacco-related deaths for adults and only following malnutrition for young children.
Despite these alarming statistics, funding allocated for combatting air pollution is alarmingly low. Data indicates less than 1 percent of international development funding is directed toward tackling this crisis, particularly during these times of heightened economic and social unrest. The global financial burden from health damages alone amounts to approximately $8.1 trillion each year—an investment pathway we can no longer afford to overlook.
“Pollution is choking economies and heating up our planet, adding fuel to the fire of the climate crisis,” emphasizes UN Secretary-General António Guterres. His powerful message aligned with the theme set forth for this year’s day by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), calling for global investment under the banner of #InvestinCleanAirNow, to secure not just cleaner air, but also prosperity for future generations.
To actualize such ambitious commitments, both governmental and business entities must take decisive action to phase out fossil fuels, strengthen air quality monitoring, enforce stringent air quality standards, and promote renewable energy sources. These measures, alongside the transition to clean cooking processes and sustainable waste management practices, form the core of what Guterres describes as necessary initiatives.
Before Clean Air Day, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), convened by UNEP, unveiled AQMx—a global air quality management platform established on September 5. The platform aims to facilitate regional collaboration and heightened awareness about air quality as part of the preparations leading up to resolutions discussed at the recent UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6).
UNEP Executive Director, Ina Andersen, also recognized the urgent need for increased investments across all societal sectors to not only combat air pollution but also to reaffirm every individual's fundamental right to breathe clean air. "We are asking nations, regions, and cities to establish rigorous air quality standards by supporting renewable energy and sustainable transport schemes, ensuring industries comply with strict emission controls, and incorporating air quality discussions within climate action frameworks,” she stated.
Andersen's clarion call reverberates globally, urging for the redirection of fossil fuel subsidies toward cleaner technologies, advocating for grants or microloans for clean cooking solutions, and encouraging substantial private sector engagement and investment.
Events worldwide marked the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. A two-day conference was held in South Africa, where UNEP supported discussions aimed at steering African cities away from the practice of open waste burning. Across Asia, high-profile discussions involved youth voices engaged critically on the air pollution issues plaguing their environments. Meanwhile, Beijing celebrated the occasion at the site of a former steel mill, now revitalized as a public space supporting the Olympic Games, symbolizing progress against air pollution.
Latin America's response included collaborative efforts by UNEP and Wikimedia to host workshops focusing on enhancing public information surrounding air quality. North America’s contribution to Clean Air Day featured prominent stakeholders from NASA, U.S. and U.K. governments, and the World Bank, culminating with shared insights on combating air pollution.
Notably, there is hope; air pollution is preventable. Change is already happening. Many cities worldwide have demonstrated their ability to reduce pollution levels significantly, validating effective interventions. The commitment by numerous nations to reduce methane emissions—an especially potent air pollutant—through initiatives such as the Global Methane Pledge is indicative of encouraging progress. This approach is not merely about breathability of air; it could lead to decreased crop losses, projected savings ranging between $4 billion and $33 billion by mid-century, and even facilitate rises of up to 33 percent in productivity via considerably cleaner air.
Addressing air pollution effectively requires concerted action across various levels of government and sectors of society. Governments must establish and enforce stricter air quality standards, invest significantly in monitoring systems, and integrate air quality improvements within national policies. Businesses, too, must adapt, investing in technologies with reduced emissions and factoring air quality management deeply within their operational frameworks.
Everyone has air to breathe, and air pollution knows no borders. A collective responsibility exists to preserve our atmosphere and to advocate for the right to inhale clean air. By fostering cooperation across regions and sectors and committing resources to air quality initiatives, we can make significant strides toward healthier living environments for generations to come.
Source: "Clean Air Day highlights urgent need to invest in air pollution solutions for global prosperity," 7 September 2024, UN Environment Programme press release.
