Live
Audio Only
The UNEP official noted that even though household air pollution is declining, it still accounts for 60 percent of all air pollution-related deaths across Africa where polluting fuels such as charcoal and kerosene are prevalent.
On Thursday, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) urged African governments to prioritize solutions for monitoring air pollution.
Related:
According to Rose Mwebaza, UNEP's regional director for Africa, governments need to invest in contextualizing the progress made and the unique challenges and solutions in monitoring air pollution and assessing the impacts.
"In the face of growing inequality on pollution, a significant burden of air pollution-related deaths occurs in Africa, making it incumbent for all of us to strive for a clean and habitable environment," Mwebaza said during the celebrations marking the fourth International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in Nakuru, northwestern Kenya.
Furthermore, Mwebaza also stated that 383,419 deaths that occurred in 2019 as a result of ambient air pollution across Africa could have been avoided if solutions were in place.
The inaugural @AfClimateSummit co-hosted by Kenya @WilliamsRuto and the AU @PR_AZALI @_AfricanUnion presents an opportunity for our continent to change the course of history…
— Hon.Soipan Tuya CBS (@HonTuya) September 5, 2023
Millions of young Africans are looking up to their leaders for a promise of adequate green jobs,… pic.twitter.com/04540Fm6gx
The UNEP official noted that even though household air pollution is declining, it still accounts for 60 percent of all air pollution-related deaths across Africa where polluting fuels such as charcoal and kerosene are prevalent.
Mwebaza said that the UNEP is partnering with governments and organizations to make addressing air pollution and its attendant consequences a priority.
Visiting Philip Osano, center director for Africa at the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), observed that air pollution poses a severe threat to public health, the environment and economic well-being.
Acccording to Osano cities and urban areas across the world are at risk of air pollution-related problems; he said that the SEI is willing to support the national governments and other institutions with the science to enable them to make sound decisions to address air quality and climate change issues for the betterment of the people.
The event, which is observed on Sept. 7 each year, serves as a rallying point to highlight the importance of clean air and advocate for sustainable solutions to air pollution.
Newsletter
