International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

Clean air is easy to take for granted when the sky looks clear, but the air quality can still be severely affected without being noticed. It affects human health, climate systems, wildlife, water quality, and the economic activities that depend on healthy coastal environments.

Every September 7, the United Nations observes the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, an international day created to raise awareness about air pollution and encourage action toward cleaner air.

The United Nations General Assembly established the day in 2019, with the first observance taking place in 2020. Its purpose is closely connected to international cooperation, public awareness, and practical efforts to improve air quality. This day is an opportunity to highlight important issues, such as: 

• The health risks: Air pollution causes approximately 7 million premature deaths every year, including deaths from cardiovascular disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and lung cancer.
• Taking care of our shared atmosphere: Air moves across towns, cities, and borders. Pollution in one place can affect people far away.
• Taking global action: The day highlights how clean air is connected to climate change, sustainable development, and human health.

For Pacific coastal communities, the issue is particularly relevant. Coastal areas connect land, ocean, cities, forests, ports, farms, and transportation networks. Pollution generated in one part of this system can affect another. At the same time, businesses operating along the coast depend on healthy ecosystems and communities.

Why Addressing Air Pollution is Key

The European Region is among the most proactive WHO regions in tackling air pollution and climate change, and enhancements in air quality have been realized where policies and actions have been put in place.

For instance, concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) have typically fallen during the last ten years, yet different regions have not experienced similar progress.

Emissions of major air pollutants have declined in most countries across Europe and Central Asia, except in parts of Central Asia; however, there has been a region-wide increase in ammonia emissions from agricultural activities.

Overall, progress has been uneven, with significant variations in exposure to air pollution and in efforts to mitigate its effects.

The Impact of Pollution on Health

In the WHO European Region, air pollution contributes to more than 700,000 premature deaths annually, including approximately 570,000 deaths attributed to ambient air pollution. 

Household air pollution results in an extra 154,000 fatalities annually. Most of these fatalities are associated with noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular and respiratory conditions as well as lung cancer.

In addition, reliance on fossil fuels produces significant emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases, making it a key contributor to climate change. With temperatures rising at a pace more than double the global average in the past 30 years, it bears the grim distinction of the highest temperature increase among all WHO regions.

Consequently, climate change can enhance air pollution and exacerbate its harmful effects, leading to a detrimental cycle that can only be halted by tackling its underlying causes.

Solutions to Make the Sky Cleaner

Acting swiftly to transition from fossil fuels is essential for the health and well-being of both present and future generations. A quicker and fairer shift to clean and sustainable energy sources could result in cost savings, save thousands of lives, improve health, and contribute to a more stable climate by reducing air pollution and addressing climate change.

To achieve these goals, it’s important to strengthen air quality standards and improve the management of air pollution sources; promote the transition to renewable energy and ensure fair access to it; and improve indoor air quality to protect health.

The Updated Road Map for an Enhanced Global Response to the Adverse Health Effects of Air Pollution, endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2025, incorporates a voluntary goal to reduce the health impacts of air pollution by 50% by 2040.

WHO collaborates with countries to reach these objectives, helping them assess the health risks of air pollution and develop strategies aligned with the WHO Air Quality Guidelines that can also contribute to climate-change mitigation.

How Does Air Pollution Affect Wildlife?

Smog can affect pets and wild animals, and their health can also be harmed by pollutants such as vehicle exhaust, ozone, and particulate matter.

In general, air pollution has significant impacts on biodiversity. As its impacts intensify, ecosystems face mounting stress, potentially resulting in habitat degradation and even widespread breakdown of the food web. The key point is that the effects of environmental pollution can ultimately affect everyone, even when the risks do not feel immediate. Some of the causes of air pollution for wildlife are:

• Respiratory illnesses: in animals, the effects may become apparent later and can be difficult to detect. However, studies have shown that harmful gases and smog can damage animals’ respiratory systems.
• Fertility issues: Exposure to certain air pollutants can impair reproductive health in some animal species and may reduce reproductive success.
• Impaired immune systems: Animals exposed to contaminated air are at greater risk for multiple illnesses and infectious diseases.
• Allergies, infections, and skin irritations: As with humans, animals can experience allergic reactions and skin problems following exposure to certain pollutants.
• Liver diseases: Wild animals often lack reliable access to clean drinking water, which forces them to use whatever sources they can find. Regrettably, this encompasses contaminated bodies of water.

In severe cases, pollution-related health and reproductive effects can contribute to population declines and increase extinction risk, particularly when combined with habitat loss and other environmental pressures.

How Can Paso Pacifico Help?

At Paso Pacifico, we protect the coastal systems of Central America where the degradation of habitats continues to threaten the numbers due to air or coastal pollution. 

If you wish to help, you can get involved by donating. This will help us make significant strides in our conservation efforts. Many animals need our help today.

Additionally, you can also participate in eco-friendly tourism, encourage others to donate, volunteer with marine protection groups, and raise awareness through social media and educational outreach.

It’s important to act now before it becomes too late and many precious animals are lost to us forever.

Frequently Asked Questions About Clean Air and Coastal Ecosystems

What is the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies?

Since 2020, the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies has been observed every September 7 to raise awareness about air pollution. This day encourages people around the globe to take action and protect both human and animal life by promoting cleaner air. 

How does air pollution affect marine life and wildlife?

There are many ways for air pollution to harm wildlife, including respiratory problems, impaired immune function, and reduced reproductive success. These pollutants can also affect entire ecosystems, contaminating food and water sources and potentially harming wildlife species.

How can people help improve air quality and protect coastal ecosystems?

People can help by reducing activities that contribute to pollution, supporting clean energy, participating in conservation and coastal cleanup efforts, choosing eco-friendly tourism, volunteering with environmental organizations, and raising awareness about the importance of clean air and healthy ecosystems.