WMO Photostream/Anna Zuidema
International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies- 7 September 2023
This year’s theme for International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, “Together for Clean Air”, highlights the need for stronger partnerships, increased investment, and shared responsibility to overcome air pollution.
Air pollution is a major cause of disease and ill health. It kills 6.7 million people per year, and damages the health and well-being of billions of people worldwide.
Air pollution is exacerbated by climate change and biodiversity loss as demonstrated by the smog caused by recent wildfires in many parts of the world.
We need to work together at all levels in order to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.
Given the transboundary nature of air pollution, all stakeholders have a responsibility to protect the earth’s atmosphere and ensure healthy air for everyone. Working together, across borders and boundaries, between sectors and beyond silos, will help reduce air pollution, leverage finance and investments towards air quality measures and solutions, and provide many benefits.
Biodiversity is fundamental to the functioning of ecosystems that support life, providing the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. Biodiversity is fundamental to human well-being, a healthy planet, and economic prosperity for all people, and must be part of the solution for clean air.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss through a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach. It recognizes the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and calls for a One Health approach. It includes a set of targets aimed at tackling the common causes of biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change, such as the loss and degradation of natural ecosystems and the spread of invasive alien species.
More Information:
Biodiversity and Natural Capital
KMGBF Target 11. Nature’s contributions to people are restored, maintained and enhanced