Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time, which endangers people’s health, worsens climate change and brings economic losses.
This is why the General Assembly of the United Nations declared September 7 as International Clean Air Day for Blue Skies with the aim of spurring global action and calling on everyone – from governments and companies to individuals – to invest in improving air quality for current and future generations.
UN member states have recognized the need to significantly reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from air, water and land contamination by 2030, as well as to reduce the negative impact of cities on the environment per capita.
Today, the international community says that improving air quality can affect climate change mitigation, and that climate change mitigation efforts can also improve air quality.
Consequences for human health
Air pollution disproportionately affects women, children and the elderly, according to the United Nations. Tiny, polluting particles penetrate deep into our lungs and bloodstream, causing approximately one-third of deaths from stroke, chronic respiratory disease and lung cancer, as well as one-quarter of deaths from heart attacks.
It is estimated that indoor and outdoor air pollution is one of the main causes of disease and premature death worldwide (about 6.5 million premature deaths in 2016). This is especially pronounced in developing countries where the low-income population is often exposed to high levels of ambient air pollution, as well as indoor air pollution from cooking and heating with wood fuel and kerosene.
Air pollution is a global problem with far-reaching impacts due to its transport over long distances. Without decisive action to improve air quality, it is estimated that the number of premature deaths will increase by more than 50 percent by 2050, warns the United Nations.
Energy portal
Source: energetskiportal.rs
