Over 47 million individuals have called for urgent action against air pollution, which causes approximately 7 million deaths annually. The WHO and other organizations will present this initiative at the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Colombia in March 2025. Health experts reiterate the need for immediate government efforts to enforce air quality standards and transition to cleaner energy sources.
Recently, more than 47 million health professionals, patients, advocates, and civil society representatives from around the world have united to demand urgent action to combat air pollution and protect public health. This alarming initiative highlights that air pollution remains one of the most significant environmental hazards to human health, contributing to approximately 7 million deaths each year, predominantly due to respiratory and cardiovascular ailments.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and various international health organizations will present this global call to action at the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Cartagena, Colombia, scheduled for March 25 to 27, 2025. This effort seeks to reinforce the necessity for immediate government action to mitigate air pollution’s damaging effects on health and climate.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the importance of implementing science-based measures against air pollution. He stated, “Forty-seven million people from the health community have issued a clarion call for urgent, bold, science-driven action on air pollution, and their voices must be heard.”
The conference, organized by WHO and the Colombian Government, aims to gather leaders from various sectors to promote a global clean air agenda that benefits public health, climate action, and sustainable development. There is significant pressure on governments to take robust measures, such as promoting cleaner energy sources and enforcing existing air quality laws, in order to unlock substantial health benefits for individuals and the planet.
The health consequences of air pollution will also be discussed in light of the upcoming 2025 UN High-Level meeting on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), where leaders will be urged to intensify their responses. NCDs are responsible for roughly 41 million deaths every year, with many linked to air quality issues, establishing the interdependence between air pollution mitigation and improved global health outcomes.
Dr. Maria Neira, WHO Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health, stressed the urgency of a collaborative approach to transition towards renewable energy, promote public transport, and establish low-emission zones in urban areas. In her words, “While the challenge is immense, progress is possible. Many cities and countries have significantly improved air quality by enforcing stricter pollution limits. Clean air is not a privilege; it is a human right as recognized by the UN General Assembly.”
The commitments established at the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, along with the UNE High-Level Meeting on NCDs, will be pivotal for creating healthier and more sustainable living environments. With around 2.1 billion people exposed to hazardous levels of household air pollution, the time to act decisively for cleaner air is now. In Kenya, for instance, particulate matter from various sources significantly contributes to environmental health risks, underlining the need for urgent action in combating air pollution globally.
In conclusion, the call to action from millions of health professionals emphasizes the urgent need for decisive measures to combat air pollution, which significantly endangers public health. The upcoming conferences provide a vital platform for international collaboration and commitment to enforce stronger air quality standards, transition to cleaner energy sources, and establish effective public health policies. A collective, science-driven approach is imperative for ensuring clean air as a universal right and protecting the health of current and future generations.
Original Source: www.kenyanews.go.ke
