UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared on Thursday that air pollution is a worldwide emergency and urged nations to work together to promote clean air.
In his message, Guterres urged people to observe the annual International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, which takes place on September 7.
He emphasized that low- and middle-income countries experience the largest exposures to soot, sulphur, and other harmful substances, accounting for 99 percent of the world’s population.
According to him, air pollution causes 7 million premature deaths annually and is directly related to global warming.
According to Guterres, air pollution is a global problem that can travel thousands of kilometers while dispersing contaminants in the wind.
“Global problems require global solutions. We must act together for clean air,” he said.
The UN chief underscored the need to accelerate “a just and equitable transition away” from fossil fuels, particularly coal, toward clean renewable energy.
“We must also support the transition to clean cooking and electric vehicles,” he said. “We must encourage walking and cycling in cities, and put in place systems to make responsible waste management second nature. And we must act on the pledge to reduce methane emissions.”
The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies was declared by the UN General Assembly in December 2019 to highlight the value of clean air for everyone’s daily lives and health.
