Racing for clean air. Every breath matters

Air pollution is the largest environmental risk of our time, exacerbating climate change, causing economic losses, and reducing agricultural productivity. It knows no boundaries or borders, making collective action more important than ever before. By working across borders, sectors, and silos, we can reduce air pollution, so long as everyone contributes.

This International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, the United Nation calls upon every global citizen to join the race for solutions, no matter the role. By efficiently taking on the correct approaches, together we can secure transformative change and healthy air for all.

Air pollution manifests itself in several unsustainable ways, especially in health and climate issues. From a health standpoint, air pollution, with its invisible particles of soot and waste, can 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. Ground-level ozone, which is produced by several pollutants interacting in sunlight, can also cause asthma and respiratory illnesses.

Short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) are among those pollutants most linked with both health impacts and short-term warming of the planet. These SLCPs linger in the atmosphere for as little as a few days or as long as a few decades, meaning that reducing them can have an almost immediate health and climate benefits for those living in places where levels fall.

Air pollution is the leading environmental threat to human health, causing about 6.5 million premature deaths annually (2016), particularly in developing countries where women, children, the elderly, and low-income populations are most exposed. It also harms economies through healthcare costs, reduced productivity, and damage to tourism and food security.

Without strong action, deaths from air pollution could rise by over 50% by 2050. Some pollutants, such as black carbon, methane, and ground-level ozone, also worsen climate change, meaning their reduction brings both health and climate benefits.

Recognizing this, the UN General Assembly designated 7 September as the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. Clean air is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in urban areas where pollution levels often exceed WHO guidelines.

Improving air quality is thus vital for health, ecosystems, sustainable development, and climate change mitigation.

For more information, please visit the UN Website.