MESSAGE ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CLEAN AIR FOR BLUE SKIES

Clean air is now a human right.

A stable climate is a human right.

Healthy nature is a human right. 

Today, air pollution denies billions of people their rights.

Dirty air affects 99 percent of people on the planet.

The poor suffer the most.

Especially women and girls, whose health is compromised by cooking and heating with dirty fuels.

Poor people also live in areas filled with smoke from traffic and industry.

Air pollution also causes global warming.

Forest fires further pollute the air.

When people are exposed to air pollution and extreme heat, their risk of death is about 20 percent higher. 

Climate change and air pollution are both deadly.

On this third International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, I call on all countries to work together to fight air pollution. 

We know what to do. 

Invest in renewable energy and rapidly transition away from fossil fuels.

Immediately transition to zero-emission vehicles and alternative modes of transportation.

Increase access to clean cooking, heating and cooling.

Recycle waste rather than burning it.

These actions will save millions of lives every year, slow climate change, and accelerate sustainable development.

Air pollution knows no borders.

So, nations must work together.

Let's monitor air pollution.

Legislate to meet the World Health Organization's Air Quality Guidelines.

And deliver credible plans to reduce emissions from vehicles, power plants, construction and industry.

Together, we can reduce air pollution and keep people and the planet healthy and safe.