FORUM: "Together for Clean Air." International Day of Clean Air for blue skies 2023.
The theme "Together for Clean Air" will highlight the urgent need for stronger partnerships, increased investment, and share responsibility for overcoming air pollution. Air pollution, indoors and outdoors, directly impacts human and ecosystem health. We all share and breathe the same air; thus, we all have a responsibility to protect our atmosphere and ensure healthy air for everyone. According to WHO, almost everyone (99 % of the global population) breathes polluted air. The transboundary nature of air pollution calls for local, national, regional, and global partnerships to tackle the problem. This year’s theme highlights that it is time to invest, work together, and contribute to clean air. Collaboration with UN member states, development organizations, international and regional organizations, the private sector, and civil society is crucial to reducing pollution and improving air quality. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #7september; #WorldCleanAirDay, #TogetherForCleanAir.
STATEMENTS
Air pollution is a global emergency. Ninety-nine per cent of humanity breathes air laced with soot, sulphur and other toxic chemicals, with low- and middle-income countries suffering the highest exposures. Every year, 7 million people die prematurely as a result, and air pollution is intimately linked to global heating.
Air pollution knows no borders, travelling thousands of kilometres, spreading contaminates with the wind. And the climate crisis is having devastating and growing impacts on every continent on Earth.
Global problems require global solutions. We must act together for clean air — the theme of this year’s International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.
Together, we must accelerate a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels, particularly coal, towards clean renewable energy, while ensuring that no one is left behind.
To help achieve this, I have proposed a Climate Solidarity Pact in which all big emitters make extra efforts to cut emissions, and wealthier countries mobilize financial and technical resources to support emerging economies to do so. And I have proposed an Acceleration Agenda to super-charge these efforts. I urge all countries to put both into effect.
We must also support the transition to clean cooking and electric vehicles. We must encourage walking and cycling in cities and put in place systems to make responsible waste management second nature. And we must act on the pledge to reduce methane emissions.
Our air is a common good and a common responsibility. Let’s work together to clean it up, protect our health and leave a healthy planet for generations to come.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
Statement from the UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen on International Day of Clean Air for blue skies 2023; September 7th.
Join the WHO Air Quality, Energy and Health Unit for a groundbreaking webinar “New opportunities for air pollution and health education: launching an OpenWHO online course for health workers” to be held on 5 September 2023 at 1-2:15pm (CEST).
In a landmark collaboration with over 30 international experts, WHO has developed the first WHO Air Pollution and Health Training toolkit specifically tailored for health workers (APHT) to be unveiled at the end of 2023. The toolkit includes downloadable and interactive training resources to inform and empower health care professionals. In anticipation of the toolkit’s launch, a readily accessible OpenWHO online training will be released at the margins of the 2023 UN International Day of Clean Air for blue skies.
The webinar aims to:
This webinar session will be recorded. Register here for the webinar
Opening and welcoming remarks
- Dr Maria Neira, Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, WHO (video message)
- Ms Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, The Ella Roberta Foundation
Launch of the OpenWHO course “Air pollution and health: an introduction for health workers”
- Dr Samantha Pegoraro, Technical Officer, Air Quality and Health Unit, WHO
Panel discussion: What challenges and opportunities for air pollution education of the health workforce?
Key examples from:
Facilitator: Dr Mohamed Eissa, Liaison Officer for Public Health, International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA)
Discussants:
- Mr Daniel Pope, Co-Director CLEAN-Air(Africa) & Professor, University of Liverpool
- Dr Mark Hayden, Greet Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), London, the United Kingdom
- Dr Enrique Falceto de Barros, World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA), Brazil
- Mr Elvis Ndikum Achiri, Co-Founder and President at Global Youth Strategy (GYS) on Air Pollution and Climate Health, Cameroon
What’s next: the WHO Air Pollution and Health Training toolkit for health workers (APTH)
- Dr Sophie Gumy, Technical Officer, Air Quality and Health Unit, WHO
In a landmark collaboration with over 30 international experts, WHO has developed the first WHO Air Pollution and Health Training toolkit specifically tailored for health workers (APHT) to be unveiled at the end of 2023. The toolkit includes downloadable and interactive training resources to inform and empower health care professionals. In anticipation of the toolkit’s launch, a readily accessible OpenWHO online training will be released at the margins of the 2023 UN International Day of Clean Air for blue skies.
The webinar aims to:
- Launch the OpenWHO course on air pollution and health: an introduction for health workers.
- Showcase key initiatives aimed at raising awareness and equipping health professionals to tackle air pollution and protect public health.
- Preview the upcoming Air Pollution and Health Training toolkit targeting health workers (APHT).
This webinar session will be recorded. Register here for the webinar
Agenda
Opening and welcoming remarks
- Dr Maria Neira, Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, WHO (video message)
- Ms Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, The Ella Roberta Foundation
Launch of the OpenWHO course “Air pollution and health: an introduction for health workers”
- Dr Samantha Pegoraro, Technical Officer, Air Quality and Health Unit, WHO
Panel discussion: What challenges and opportunities for air pollution education of the health workforce?
Key examples from:
- The Community Household Air Pollution Prevention Programme (CHAP-PP): strengthening Community Health Workers’ education in Kenya
- Air pollution data in children’s clinical records: a GOSH experience in London
- Using air pollution low-cost sensors to educate Community Health Workers in Brazil
- Clean air advocacy actions and education among medical students and secondary school children in Cameroon
Facilitator: Dr Mohamed Eissa, Liaison Officer for Public Health, International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA)
Discussants:
- Mr Daniel Pope, Co-Director CLEAN-Air(Africa) & Professor, University of Liverpool
- Dr Mark Hayden, Greet Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), London, the United Kingdom
- Dr Enrique Falceto de Barros, World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA), Brazil
- Mr Elvis Ndikum Achiri, Co-Founder and President at Global Youth Strategy (GYS) on Air Pollution and Climate Health, Cameroon
What’s next: the WHO Air Pollution and Health Training toolkit for health workers (APTH)
- Dr Sophie Gumy, Technical Officer, Air Quality and Health Unit, WHO
- Dr Carl Osei, Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, Ghana
Closing remarks
Dr Heather Adair-Rohani, Unit Head a.i., Air Quality and Health Unit, WHO
Closing remarks
Dr Heather Adair-Rohani, Unit Head a.i., Air Quality and Health Unit, WHO
CAMPAIGN: Everyone has a part to play in cleaning our air and protecting our health, and everyone can benefit from it: a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, including clean air, is integral to the full enjoyment of a wide range of human rights.
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