The Air We Share

“Together, we can reduce air pollution and keep people and the planet healthy and safe."- António Guterres, United Nations Secretary General. Clean air is fundamental to health. The United Nations states that air pollution is the single greatest environmental risk to human health and one of the main avoidable causes of death and disease globally, with some estimated 6.5 million premature deaths (2016) across the world attributed to indoor and outdoor air pollution. Particularly in developing countries, air pollution disproportionately affects women, children and the elderly, especially in low-income populations as they are often exposed to high levels of ambient air pollution and indoor air pollution from cooking and heating with wood fuel and kerosene. Air pollution is a global problem with far-reaching impacts owing to its transport over long distances. In the absence of aggressive intervention, the number of premature deaths resulting from ambient air pollution is estimated to be on track to increase by more than 50 per cent by 2050. Society bears a high cost of air pollution due to the negative impacts on the economy, work productivity, healthcare costs and tourism, among others. Hence, the economic benefits of investing in air pollution control cannot be overestimated, and it must be understood that there is also an economic rationale to act and that cost-effective solutions exist to address air pollution. Poor air quality is a challenge in the context of sustainable development for all countries, in particular in cities and urban areas in developing countries, with levels of air pollution that are higher than the limits set out in the World Health Organization air quality guidelines. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) states that 96% of children in Europe and Central Asia breathe polluted air. Some air pollutants, such as black carbon, methane and ground-level ozone, are also short-lived climate pollutants and are responsible for a significant portion of air pollution-related deaths, as well as impacts on crops and hence food security, so their reduction has co-benefits for the climate. The third International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies will be held on 7 September 2022, under the theme of ‘The Air We Share’. The day focuses on the transboundary nature of air pollution highlighting the need for collective accountability and collective action. Air pollution knows no national borders and is all pervasive. Moreover, it is strongly correlated to other global crisis such as climate change, biodiversity loss, other forms of pollution, social and gender parity as well as economic development. Climate change is inextricably linked to air pollution, wherein one cannot be resolved without addressing the other, an integrated approach to tackle both could result in significant co-benefits. By 2050, we can halve global crop losses from these pollutants by reducing methane emissions, an ingredient in the formation of tropospheric ozone, an important greenhouse gas and air pollutant, which would potentially save between $4 to $33 billion USD. Many Jamaican communities are affected by poor air water quality from a variety of sources including mining, quarrying, other industrial activities and discharges, and open burning. In many instances the collection of garbage is done infrequently and this results in some residents burning their garbage which clearly will impact the quality of the air we breathe. Those of us who live close to the Riverton City landfill can testify to the many health issues we have experienced as a result of frequent fires at the landfill. In an age of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the need to raise awareness about the problem, impact and solutions for air pollution; collection and sharing of data, research and best practices as well as strengthening international and regional cooperation for efficient implementation has never been greater. The burden of disease attributable to air pollution is now estimated to be on par with other major global health risks such as unhealthy diets and tobacco smoking. In 2015, the World Health Assembly adopted a landmark resolution on air quality and health, recognizing air pollution as a risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and cancer, and the economic toll they take. The global nature of the challenge calls for an enhanced global response. A Two-Fold Problem Health impact: tiny, invisible particles of pollution 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, produced from the interaction of many different pollutants in sunlight, is also a cause of asthma and chronic respiratory illnesses. Climate impact: short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) are among those pollutants most linked with both health effects and near-term warming of the planet. They persist in the atmosphere for as little as a few days or up to a few decades, so reducing them can have an almost immediate health and climate benefits for those living in places where levels fall. In order for the citizenry to enjoy clean air all stakeholders whether those who draft policies or those who implement such policies must work together in ensuring we have clean air. Having access to clean air is a human right and drives sustainable development. In the words of Barack Obama, without regard to whether some place is wealthy or poor, everybody should have the chance at clean air and clean water. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #TheAirWeBreathe