air pollution and the breathelife campaign
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) new air quality model confirms that 92% of the world’s population lives in places where air quality levels exceed WHO limits.
According to WHO, approximately 3 million deaths a year are linked to exposure to outdoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution can be just as deadly; in 2012, an estimated 6.5 million deaths (11.6% of all global deaths) were associated with indoor and outdoor air pollution together. Nearly 90% of air-pollution-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with nearly 2 out of 3 occurring in WHO’s South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions
WHO has published an interactive map, highlighting areas within countries that exceed air quality limits. More than 3000 rural and urban locations were monitored via satellite, air and ground. How does your country fair? What about your city? See your city’s pollution level at http://breathelife2030.org/
Recently, WHO and the Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) launched a joint campaign called BreatheLife to mobilize cities and individuals to protect our health and planet from the effects of air pollution. “Together we aim to cut the number of deaths caused each year by pollution in half by 2030.”
There must be a continuous dialogue on what can be done by individuals, businesses, countries, literally everyone on earth, to ensure the health of our planet as well as the health of future generations.
