On 7 September 2020, for the first time ever, the world will join together to mark the UN's International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. The theme for 2020 is "Clean Air for All".
For many of us, 2020 has meant lockdown, with just a peek at the skies through a window or on a short walk. These skies may have looked clearer and bluer than before as air pollution drops. But economic lockdowns are not the way to build a healthier world.
Air pollution is a huge environmental risk to human health. It has a disproportionate impact on the poor. The economic costs are mounting – whether through healthcare bills, lost productivity, reduced crop yields or the eroded competitiveness of cities.
This growing threat is why the United Nations General Assembly agreed to mark September 7 as the new International Day of Clean Air for blue skies.
This Day aims to teach individuals, communities, businesses and government that clean air is fundamental for our future.
Humanity, acting together, can beat air pollution. We have the solutions and technology at our fingertips.
Like many of the threats we face, air pollution knows no borders. We must increase international cooperation on air quality data and research, develop new technologies and share what is working with each other.
COVID-19 lockdowns have shown that a cleaner sky is possible. That people are willing to listen to science. That we can act quickly to protect human health.
We must take similar urgent action to lift the smog of air pollution. If we do, we can save millions of lives and billions of dollars each year.
Blue skies do lie ahead, but we can only reveal them if we work together to ensure clean air for all people on this planet.
Background:
The UN's International Day of Clean Air for blue skies highlights that air pollution is now the greatest environmental threat to health, but it is preventable. We have the solutions and technology to change this. To improve our air quality we need everyone on board –from individuals to private companies to governments.
Air pollution doesn’t have to be a part of our collective future. Cleaner air will make us healthier, protect nature and help achieve global climate change goals.
What are you doing to clear the air?
Join the conversation: #CleanAirForAll
