International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies 2020

7 September 2020 is the first International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies to raise awareness and mobilize global action to address air pollution.

International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

Clean air is important for the health and day-to-day lives of people, while air pollution is the single greatest environmental risk to human health and one of the main avoidable causes of death and disease globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year and WHO data shows that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. In addition, air pollution disproportionately affects women, children and older persons.

Air pollution doesn’t only affect human health, it also negatively impacts the climate, economic growth and our natural environment. Air pollution decreases the oxygen supply in our oceans, making it harder for plants to grow and as such, contributes to climate change. The good news is that air pollution is largely avoidable and its negative consequences are preventable. Solutions are known and can be implemented. The world needs to act now.

7 September 2020 is the first International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, as set out in the UN General Assembly resolution 74/212. The international community acknowledges that improving air quality can enhance climate change mitigation and that climate change mitigation efforts can improve air quality.

The theme of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies 2020 is Clean Air for All. #CleanAirForAll #WorldCleanAirDay

More on International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

Events

Various events are planed around the world in support of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. The full schedule is available on the official website of the day.

News

Blue skies ahead? Why cooperation between science and policy is the key to reducing air pollution | Pip Cook | Geneva Solutions | 14 September 2020
Build a better future with blue skies for all, UN urges, marking first International Day of Clean Air | UN News | 7 September 2020
The Big Interview: Dr Maria Neira, World Health Organization | Air Quality News | 7 May 2020

International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies 2020