Over 47 million people have united to combat air pollution, with significant health implications highlighted by the WHO. The urgent call for action aims for commitments at the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Cartagena, Colombia, scheduled for March 2025. The initiative emphasizes the need for stronger air quality standards and transitioning to cleaner energy sources to improve public health and combat climate change.
Recently, over 47 million individuals, including health professionals and advocates, have united in a global initiative to combat air pollution and safeguard public health. This urgent call emphasizes that air pollution is a critical environmental hazard, responsible for approximately 7 million deaths each year from severe health conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
The World Health Organization (WHO), alongside other international health groups, is leading this unprecedented coalition, which will be formally presented at the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Cartagena, Colombia, scheduled for March 25-27, 2025. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, reiterated the necessity of utilizing evidence-based measures to mitigate air pollution’s detrimental health effects.
Dr. Tedros 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 aims to foster commitments from countries to adopt WHO-supported tools to improve air quality and, consequently, public health.
The event, hosted by WHO in collaboration with the Government of Colombia, will gather leaders, civil society representatives, and academic experts to promote a global agenda for clean air, which is integral to public health, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development. The health community implores governments to undertake decisive actions, such as stricter emissions regulations and a transition to cleaner energy sources.
Addressing air pollution is particularly crucial ahead of the 2025 UN High-Level meeting on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which are partly driven by pollution exposure and account for 41 million deaths annually. Dr. Maria Neira, WHO’s Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health, stressed the collaboration needed to transition from coal to renewable energy and to adopt low-emission practices in healthcare facilities.
Dr. Neira asserted, “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 made at the upcoming conference and the UN meeting will be essential for fostering a healthier, sustainable future. Currently, an alarming 2.1 billion people face dangerous levels of household air pollution. In Kenya, major air pollution sources include traffic emissions, fossil fuel burning, and agricultural practices, highlighting the urgent need for action. Countries attending the conference are expected to agree on adopting stronger air quality standards in line with WHO guidelines.
In conclusion, the global initiative to combat air pollution has garnered extraordinary support from health professionals and advocates worldwide, with a vital conference scheduled to address this pressing issue. The collaborative efforts led by the WHO emphasize the critical need for immediate action to improve air quality and public health. As nations prepare to engage in meaningful discussions, it is imperative that they commit to ambitious goals that secure cleaner air for all, ultimately safeguarding community health and environmental integrity.
Original Source: www.kenyanews.go.ke
