This archive report was first published on 8 September 2021.
On September 7, 2021, the world celebrated the 2nd International Day for Clean Air and blue skies under the theme, Healthy Air, Healthy Planet. This day calls for increased international cooperation to address air pollution and climate change.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), around 3 billion people cook and heat their homes using open fires and simple stoves burning biomass and coal. This results in 50% of premature deaths due to pneumonia among children under 5 being caused by particulate matter inhaled from household air pollution.
Outdoor air pollution in cities and rural areas was estimated to cause 3 million premature deaths worldwide in 2012, with 88% of those deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Policies and investments supporting cleaner transport, energy-efficient housing, power generation, industry, and better municipal waste management can reduce key sources of urban outdoor air pollution.
“Action on air pollution, which is responsible for millions of premature deaths a year, is critical – efforts should focus on high-risk communities, such as people living in informal urban settlements,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.
A unique collaboration between the UN, the private sector, academia, non-governmental, and local governmental organizations aims to accelerate efforts to change how transport, waste management, and other services are managed in cities to reduce air pollution. The Nairobi air quality awareness demonstration project leverages real-time air quality monitoring data, machine learning, and data visualization to help identify those most affected by global air pollution.
“We recognize that some of the world’s most vulnerable communities are disproportionately affected by poor air quality,” said IQAir CEO Frank Hammes. “Through our partnership with UNEP, we are able to leverage real-time air quality monitoring data, machine learning, and data visualization to help identify those that are most affected by global air pollution.”
The demonstration project comes as Nairobi celebrates the importance of clean air and blue skies. The city's residents are often unaware of the harmful levels of air they breathe due to lack of access to real-time air quality data.
