UN chief calls for action against air pollution and an end to subsidies on fossil fuels

United Nations, Sept 9: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has stressed on the need of ergent global efforts to address the challenge posed by air pollution, he also suggested that those governments that are subsidising production of energy from fossil fules should shift these subsidies to clean energy generation.
He released a video message in which he spoke about the problem, this video was played at the virtual UN event to mark the first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. “Around the world, nine out of every 10 people breathe unclean air. Air pollution contributes to various diseases and causes an estimated 7 million premature deaths every year, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries”, he said.
Stressing that air pollution also threatens the economy, food security and the environment, he said that the world needs to pay far greater attention to air pollution as it recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. Guterres called for urgent action to address the deeper threat of climate change. “Limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees from pre-industrial levels will help reduce air pollution, death and disease” he said.
This year’s lockdowns in response to COVID-19 have caused emissions to fall dramatically, providing a glimpse of cleaner air in many cities. But emissions are already rising again, in some places surpassing pre-COVID levels, he warned. “We need dramatic and systemic change. Reinforced environmental standards, policies and laws that prevent emissions of air pollutants are needed more than ever.”
He felt that countries need to end subsidies for fossil fuels and cooperate at the international level to help each other transition to clean technologies. “I call on governments still providing finance for fossil fuel-related projects in developing countries to shift that support toward clean energy and sustainable transport. And I urge all countries to use post- COVID recovery packages to support the transition to healthy and sustainable jobs.”
The International Day of Clean Air for blue skies falls on Sept. 7, which is a public holiday in the United States. The UN commemoration was held on Tuesday instead. (UNI)

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