Iran (IMNA) - Clean air is crucial for health and everyday life, while air pollution remains the top environmental risk to human health and a leading cause of preventable death and disease worldwide. Women, children, and older individuals are disproportionately affected, and ecosystems suffer negative impacts as well.
Air pollution ranks as the second leading risk factor for death, causing approximately 8.1 million premature deaths annually due to conditions like stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. As the foremost environmental health threat of our time, it also worsens climate change, leads to economic losses, and reduces agricultural productivity. This pervasive issue transcends borders, emphasizing a collective responsibility to safeguard our atmosphere and ensure healthy air for all.
Today, the global community recognizes that improving air quality can bolster climate change mitigation efforts and vice versa. By collaborating across borders, sectors, and silos, we can reduce air pollution through concerted investments of time, resources, and effort. This international observance calls upon everyone—from governments and corporations to civil society and individuals—to invest in clean air now. Proactively addressing air pollution can lead to transformative change and secure healthy air for all.
In conjunction with these global efforts, National Clean Air Week was observed from January 16 to 22 under the theme "Clean Air, Responsible Official, Responsible Citizen." In Iran, January 19 marks National Clean Air Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of maintaining air quality and encouraging citizen participation in environmental protection.
The Clean Air Law enacted in July 2017 underscores the government's commitment to addressing air pollution. However, severe pollution persists due to the failure of responsible bodies to implement the law effectively. The legislation outlines duties for multiple ministries and organizations, including reducing sulfur content in diesel fuel per national standards.
The significance of clean air is underscored by dedicating a week to its observance, highlighting the necessity of continued commitment to overcome challenges and achieve cleaner air worldwide.
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