Islamabad, Sep8: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres observed “Clean Air Day” by urging international investment in initiatives to combat climate change and the growing harm that air pollution does to the environment, public health, and the economy.
The topic of this year’s International Day for Clean Air and Blue Skies, which is observed on September 7 every year, is “Invest in #CleanAirNow,” which emphasizes the advantages that investing in clean air has for the environment, the economy, and human health. The UN General Assembly recognized the harmful effects of air pollution and the value of clean air for human health, leading to the establishment of World Air Day in 2019.
The UN president called on the globe to “invest now, so we can breathe easy” in his statement on the occasion, stating that pollution is a silent killer that can be stopped. Guterres emphasized the detrimental effects of pollution, pointing out that millions of early deaths occur worldwide since 99 percent of people breathe dirty air.
According to the UN chief, “pollution is also choking economies and heating up our planet, adding fuel to the fire of the climate crisis.” “And it disproportionately impacts the weakest members of society, such as women, children, and senior citizens.”
According to the Secretary-General, regional and international governments, corporations, development organizations, and others must take action in order to invest in clean air. Guterres is pushing for increased air quality monitoring, a shift to clean cooking, and a reduction in the use of fossil fuels by the pertinent parties.
“Clean air investment boosts economies, fights climate change, creates more equitable societies, and advances the Sustainable Development Goals,” he declared. “, let’s invest now to ensure a healthier planet for all of us to breathe easy about.” Some of the issues raised in a recent study from the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which describes the effects of air pollution, wildfires, and climate change on human health, are highlighted in Guterres’ speech commemorating the international day.
According to the research, in 2023, there were “hyper-active wildfire seasons” in both the northern and southern hemispheres, resulting in multiple fatalities and damage to livestock. According to the Canadian National Fire Database, “the wildfire season of 2023 set a multi-decade record in Canada in terms of total area burned, with seven times more hectares burned than the average from 1990 to 2013.”
The air quality in northeastern United States and eastern Canada was also deteriorated by the wildfires. Because of this, according to WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett, air quality and climate change cannot be addressed in isolation.
According to Ms. Barrett, “they go hand in hand and must be tackled together.” “Recognizing the interdependence and acting appropriately will benefit the health of our planet, its inhabitants, and our economy.”
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which characterized air pollution as the “biggest environmental health risk of our time” and noted that it exacerbates climate change, lowers agricultural productivity, and results in economic loss, is also acknowledging the need for global change as the international day for clear air approaches.
“Almost every person on this planet is having their right to breathe clean air violated,” stated Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. Ms. Andersen reaffirmed the UN chief’s demand for a worldwide clean air investment. “We are requesting that countries, areas, and localities set strong standards for air quality,” she stated.
“We are requesting that they support sustainable transportation and renewable energy in order to hold industry accountable for stringent emission standards and to incorporate air quality into climate action,” Ms. Andersen went on. It is possible to accomplish transformative change and healthy air if air pollution is addressed proactively, according to UNEP.
