Every breath we take keeps us alive. Every breath we take is killing us. This is the paradox humanity caused when we created economies and societies that pollute the air. 99 per cent of the world breathes unsafe air. Short-lived climate pollutants are driving almost half of global warming. We are witnessing devastating wildfires, darkening our skies with ash and harmful particles.

Pollution – of the air, land and water – climate change, and nature and biodiversity loss together form the triple planetary crisis. This triple crisis is a global emergency that only urgent and decisive action can solve.

On Clean Air for Blue Skies Day, we must focus on three areas.

One, implement laws and regulations to meet WHO standards on air quality.

The UN General Assembly recently recognized the right to clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. Now we must ensure this universal right is respected.

Two, measure air quality.

Many countries lack monitoring equipment and analytical capacity to identify sources of pollution and keep track of the impact of actions. But low-cost monitoring equipment and digital technologies open new avenues to accelerate real time measurements and direct community engagement. We must use them.

Three, prioritize regional cooperation.

Air pollutants carry across borders. Solutions need to cross borders too. The Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution has already reduced transboundary air pollution in Europe and North America. The UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition has developed regional assessments and networks to provide a basis for concerted action. We must build on this work.

Through this year’s theme “The Air We Share”, we call upon governments to unite and invest in regional air quality programmes and put the full force of the law behind cleaning the air. We all share one atmosphere. We must work together to protect it.

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