World Environment Day: 9 out of 10 people breathe polluted air every day

David Boyd, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, says "environmental pollution"silent killer"The data of the World Health Organization (WHO) gives the reason: the premature death of 7 million people, including 600,000 boys, is attributable to air pollution. Nine out of ten people breathe daily polluted air because of traffic emissions, industry, agriculture and waste incineration, slogan Maureen BirminghamRepresentative in Argentina of the Pan American Health Organization and WHO.

WHO adds that around 3,000 million people usually use polluting fuels for cooking and heating, and one-third of deaths from heart attacks, strokes, and chronic respiratory diseases are attributable to air pollution.

"The numbers are alarming and the problem is global. But the issue does not receive a strong and sustained response from states and governments, "denounces Birmingham.According to the WHO, this is due to the fact that deaths due to air pollution" are not as tragic as those caused by disasters or epidemics, they go almost unnoticed. "

The UN was the appropriate environment to endorse some key global agreements aimed at generating global action against pollution: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement on Climate and Urban Agenda 2030. In addition, WHO has set up a program of action aimed at "reducing by two thirds the number of deaths due to the pollution by 2030 ".

The importance of working together on a global scale

More than 4,300 cities in 108 countries sent information for inclusion in a WHO environment quality database, the world's largest in this area. And since 2016, more than 1,000 cities have joined. a positive fact that reveals greater awareness and willingness to make a commitment. Birmingham said: "Essential but not sufficient steps because pollution levels, growth in urbanization and poor planning continue to defeat surveillance and regulatory efforts".

Multilateral agreements indicate that States have a primary responsibility in this struggle. They must monitor the quality of the air and its health effects, determine the sources of contamination, promulgate and comply with laws and regulations, and implement national and local plans. "The economic impact of inaction in the public purse is enormous: the World Bank has estimated the losses caused by pollution-related premature deaths at $ 5 trillion, which is equivalent to Japan's GDP in 2013, "said the president. WHO reference in the country.

"This June 5, 2019, World Environment Day, is a call for more political and civic action facing one of the greatest challenges of our time, air pollution. The technical tools to do it already exist. The scientific basis too. The Global Framework for Action has been approved. Evidenced by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development endorsed in 2015 by the 193 UN Member States, which sets clear goals for reducing indoor and urban air pollution and its impact about health. WHO has included the fight against air pollution as one of the top five global priorities for the period 2019-2023. It's time to act, "concluded Birmingham.