Message of WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti
Following the United Nations General Assembly resolution 74/212, for the first time on 7 September 2020, the global community will celebrate the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies to mobilize action on air pollution.
Around nine out of 10 people worldwide breathe polluted air every day. On the African continent in 2016 alone, about 980 000 deaths occurred as a result of air pollution, including from cancer, stroke, and heart and lung disease.
UNICEF reports that before their fifth birthday, every child in sub-Saharan Africa is exposed to unsafe levels of air pollution. This puts children at increased risk of chronic respiratory and cardiovascular disease in later life.
Air pollution is caused by emissions from industry, transport and agriculture. Across African countries, four out of five people rely on wood and other biomass for cooking, and more than 50% of households use kerosene and oil lamps as their primary lighting source. The smoke these items emit pollutes the air we breathe. Use of kerosene is also associated with a higher risk of cancer, respiratory infections, asthma, tuberculosis, cataracts, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Air pollutants also exacerbate the climate crisis, endangering health and livelihoods now and for future generations. The World Bank estimates that air pollution cost sub-Saharan Africa 3.8% of GDP growth in 2013 (around US$ 114 billion). The cost of lost labour on the African continent from exposure to air pollution is about US$ 6.8 billion; on a per capita basis, this is the highest in the world.
In recognition of the gravity of the problem, countries and cities are taking action. For example, in 2019, Kenya conducted a survey of household air pollution determinants and risk factors, resulting in the draft National action plan on clean and safe cooking stoves.
To improve the availability of data, Dakar is one of 41 cities across 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa that tracks air quality. To improve air quality, Tshwane City in South Africa and Manzini City in Eswatini are both implementing tobacco smoke-free initiatives, and Addis Ababa holds a car-free day annually. Scaling up initiatives like these, embracing innovations, and strengthening regulation and their enforcement are key pathways towards cleaner air and bluer skies in Africa.
At WHO, we are working with countries to conduct air pollution evaluations and scale up technologies such as cleaner household fuels. To support implementation of WHO guidelines on indoor air quality, the Clean Household Energy Solutions Toolkit (CHEST) has been developed as well as a household energy database to monitor global progress towards using cleaner fuels.
Every individual can make a positive difference, for instance, by planting trees, cycling or walking as alternatives to driving, opting for car-free days or carpooling, and using energy-efficient stoves.
Governments can adopt policies and regulations designed to move towards cleaner energy systems, such as solar and wind energy, in addition to pursuing integrated plans for land, sea and air transport that aim to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints.
There is a lot we can do to combat air pollution, and I urge all stakeholders to build momentum from this first International Day of Clean Air and Blue Skies, to invest in a healthier, greener tomorrow for all people in Africa and globally.
Learn more:
The Cost of Inaction, WHO AFRO, 2018
WHO Guidelines on air pollution (multiple documents)
Clean the air for the children, UNICEF, 2016
The public health impact of chemicals: knowns and unknowns, WHO, 2016