On September 7, the world celebrates the International Day of Clean Air. The memorable date was established by the UN General Assembly Resolution in 2019 and is designed to draw attention to the problem of air pollution. Scientists confirm that up to a third of the causes of human deaths from stroke, chronic respiratory diseases, and lung cancer are due precisely to the state of the atmosphere.
Outdoor air pollution is a major environmental health problem that affects everyone in low, middle and high income countries.
In 2016, urban and rural air pollution is estimated to have caused 4.2 million premature deaths globally; this mortality is caused by exposure to fine particulate matter 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5) in diameter, which leads to the development of cardiovascular, respiratory and cancer diseases.
Climate impact: Short-term air pollutants are among the pollutants most associated with both health effects and global warming. They persist in the atmosphere for days to decades, so reducing them will have immediate climate and health benefits for those living in areas where pollution levels are decreasing.
Countries have repeatedly reiterated the need by 2030 to significantly reduce the number of deaths and diseases from exposure to hazardous chemicals and pollution and poisoning of air, water and soil, and by 2030 to reduce the negative environmental impact of cities in per capita terms, including by focusing on air quality and disposal of municipal and other waste.
Encouraged by the growing interest of the international community in ensuring cleaner air and highlighting the need for additional efforts to improve air quality, including reducing air pollution, in the interests of human health, the General Assembly decided to proclaim 7 September as International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.
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Gulbahar Ovezniyazova,
2nd year student of the
Institute of International Relations of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan
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