Clean energy and transport, smart cities: World Clean Air Day
Today is the first World Clean Air Day. The first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is being commemorated around the world, today, following the recognition by the United Nations General Assembly of the importance of clean air for the health and day-to-day lives of people.
Today is the first World Clean Air Day. Around the world 9 out of 10 people breathe unclean air. Clean energy and transport, better waste management and smart cities can cut emissions and bring clean air for all with the EU Green Deal .
In a message, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the dangers posed by air pollution and urged greater efforts to address it. “Air pollution contributes to heart disease, strokes, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases; also threatens the economy, food security and the environment,” he said. “As we recover from the coronavirus pandemic, the world needs to pay far greater attention to air pollution, which also increases the risks associated with COVID-19,” he added. “We need dramatic and systemic change. Reinforced environmental standards, policies and laws that prevent emissions of air pollutants are needed more than ever,” stressed Mr. Guterres.
Addressing climate change can also cut back air pollution.
The International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, to be commemorated on 7 September annually, was established in 2019 by the UN General Assembly, which recognized the importance of clean air and the impact of air pollution on human health and ecosystems, in particular its disproportionate affect on women, children and older persons.
The International Day aims to raise awareness clean air is important for health, productivity, the economy and the environment; demonstrate the close link of air quality to other environmental and developmental challenges such as climate change; promote solutions that improve air quality by sharing actionable knowledge best practices, innovations, and success stories; and bring together diverse actors for concerted national, regional and international approaches for effective air quality management.
Read more First International Day for Clean Air calls for decisive global action to beat air pollution.
