7th September is the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

Lets’ come together for Clean Air

We have experienced more heat this year and at the same time also experienced worse air pollution. We know that pollution today is pervasive and persistent in spite of our significant economic growth over the past few decades. Growth on one side means pollution on the other side. For our selfish interest we have chosen to pollute our environment and one of the worst is air pollution which is even the cause of death for many in different places around the world .

Air pollution is the single greatest environmental risk to human health and one of the main avoidable causes of death and disease globally and is a global problem with far-reaching impacts owing to its transport over long distances. In the absence of aggressive intervention, the number of premature deaths resulting from ambient air pollution is estimated to be on track to increase by more than 50 per cent by 2050.

There are many impacts of air pollution and the direct is the health impact as it affects all of us. There are tiny, invisible particles of pollution that penetrate deep into our lungs, bloodstream and bodies. These pollutants are responsible for about one-third of deaths from stroke, chronic respiratory disease, and lung cancer, as well as one quarter of deaths from heart attack. Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) are among those pollutants most linked with both health effects and near-term warming of the planet.

Society bears a high cost of air pollution due to the negative impacts on the economy, work productivity, healthcare costs and tourism, among others. Poor air quality is a challenge in the context of sustainable development for all countries, in particular in cities and urban areas in developing countries.

UN Member States recognise the need to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination by 2030, as well as to reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management by 2030.

Encouraged by the increasing interest of the international community in clean air, and emphasising the need to make further efforts to improve air quality, including reducing air pollution, to protect human health, the General Assembly decided to designate 7 September as the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. This year’s theme of “Together for Clean Air” focuses on the need for stronger partnerships, increased investment and shared responsibility to overcome air pollution. The day has been observed since 2020 in different parts of the world.

António Guterres, the Secretary General of the UN in his message for 2023 said that “air pollution is a global emergency. Ninety-nine per cent of humanity breathes air laced with soot, sulphur and other toxic chemicals, with low- and middle-income countries suffering the highest exposures. Every year, seven million people die prematurely as a result, and air pollution is intimately linked to global heating. “Air pollution knows no borders, travelling thousands of kilometres, spreading contaminates with the wind. And the climate crisis is having devastating and growing impacts on every continent on Earth”, he added.

Breathe Life Campaign: It mobilises cities and individuals to protect our health and our planet from the effects of air pollution. It combines public health and climate change expertise with guidance on implementing solutions to air pollution in support of global development goals. The campaign is supported by World Health Organisations, United Nations Environment Programme, the World Bank and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. It combines public health and climate change expertise with guidance on implementing solutions to air pollution in support of global development goals.

The challenge ahead of us is how do we reduce air pollution. This is a man-made disaster and we have to bring solutions as we do not have any other planet to live. We must also support the transition to clean cooking and using electric vehicles. We must encourage walking and cycling in cities because every action counts as our air is a common good and a common responsibility. Let’s pledge and commit to work together to protect our health, and leave a healthy planet for generations to come.

It is up to us whether we want to keep the air clean or polluted. Change in our lifestyle in individual capacity and switching to sustainable technology by corporate and industries would bring positive hopes. But if we do not practice sustainable lifestyle or bring innovation to control the pollution then we would always be labeled as climate criminals and main criminals to pollute our air. Let’s decide and take action and contribute positively towards clean air instead of polluting our air.

(With direct inputs from UN publication and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)

Ranjan K Baruah

Ganeshguri, Guwahati