The World Health Organization (WHO) released updated Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) today that aim to save millions of lives from air pollution. The new guidelines are based on a marked increase in scientific evidence that show air pollution damages human health at even lower concentrations than previously thought.

The WHO last released updated Air Quality Guidelines in 2005. After a systematic review of the accumulated evidence since then, almost all the pollutant levels have been adjusted downward with the WHO warning that exceeding the new air quality guideline levels is associated with significant risks to health. At the same time, however, adhering to them could save millions of lives.

Air pollution is the single biggest global environmental threat to human health, alongside climate change. Every year ambient and household air pollution causes approximately 7 million premature deaths and the loss of millions more healthy years of life.  

Read the full press release here.

Air pollution is a global problem with far-reaching impacts due to its transboundary nature. It is one of the greatest environmental risk to human health and one of the main avoidable causes of death and disease globally causing an estimated 7 million premature deaths every year. To raise awareness and mobilize global action to address air pollution the United Nations General Assembly designated 7 September as the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. The 2021 theme is “Healthy Air, Healthy Planet” which emphasizes the correlation between human and planetary health, which is particularly relevant in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Watch the recording of this year’s celebrations in Nairobi here. The event discussed findings of key United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reports on the subject of air pollution. The session was hosted by Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director and moderated by Andrea Hinwood, UNEP Chief Scientist.

American Lung Association climate activist advisor and member on the United Nations Secretary-General's Youth Advisory Group on climate change Sophia Kianni sat down with American Lung Association Chief Medical Officer Dr. Al Rizzo to share some steps that everyone can take to help address climate change in support of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies.

Watch the video here.

Africa is developing, a first of its kind integrated assessment of air pollution and climate change that illustrates how the continent can achieve key development goals, provide clean air for its people, and help the global fight against climate change and ecosystem degradation.

This project is a collaboration between the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC) and UNEP's Africa Office.

Doctors and medical practitioners representing some of the largest associations and networks of public health professionals today called upon South Asian Governments to phase out fossil fuels – oil, gas and coal – to avert the twin crisis of air pollution and climate change. The call was made on the occasion of International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, during the launch webinar of the first-ever regional collaboration of health professionals for resolving South Asia’s twin crisis of air pollution and climate crisis.

Read more here.

An independent report released today by the Economist Intelligence Unit shows there is evidence that emissions linked to global warming have an adverse impact on respiratory health, in particular emissions from combustion of fossil fuels and biomass by power stations, industry, homes and vehicles.

The need for action is recognized by the environmental sector and increasingly by the heath sector and the European general public, who are also beginning to demand tougher action. Mass change is needed, and most importantly the policies and systems in societies—controlled by governments and public authorities—need to support efforts to reduce emissions and tackle climate change.

Read more here.

As part of this #WorldCleanAirDay mothers from around the world are telling stories about how air pollution is harming their children or fueling worries about their children’s future. Join them, tell your story, and let your voice be part of the movement for clean air.

Read more here.

#HealthyAirHealthyPlanet

Every year, on 7 September, the world celebrates the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. The Day aims to raise awareness and facilitate actions to improve air quality. It is a global call to find new ways of doing things, to reduce the amount of air pollution we cause, and ensure that everyone, everywhere can enjoy their right to breathe clean air. The theme for the second annual International Day of Clear Air for blue skies, facilitated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is “Healthy Air, Healthy Planet” correlating air pollution to not only human health but also planetary health. This is particularly relevant in the aftermath of COVID-19 as we focus our efforts towards a green pandemic recovery.

We all breathe the same air and one atmosphere protects and sustains us all, pollution is a global problem, we must act together and act now to combat it.

Digital billboards around the Kenyan capital have started to live stream Nairobi’s real-time air pollution in an effort to increase air quality awareness among the city’s 4.7 million inhabitants to mark the second International Day of Clean Air for blue skies.

The initiative – by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company, Safaricom, a telecommunications provider in Kenya, Alpha and Jam Ltd and Metropolitan Star Lite Ltd,  Out Of Home (OOH) media – provides real-time air quality information for some of the most harmful type of air pollution, fine airborne particles, known as PM2.5. The pilot aims to engage the public by streaming real-time air pollution information to digital billboards at 4 critical locations in the city: Moi Avenue, University Way, Mbagathi Way and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Read more here.