The World Health Organization (WHO) reminded us through new reports on air pollution that more than a third of non-communicable diseases can be traced to indoor and outdoor air pollution. This is one of the key reasons why we are working on a pathway approach to demonstrate that actions on near-term climate change produce additional benfits for air quality, development and health.
Renowned scientist, Professor V. Ramanathan, held the 2018 Bolin lecture in Stockholm, Sweden, where he – again – argued that we cannot afford to wait to take on the climate challenge. To avoid catastrophic climate change, he said the world must immediately ‘pull the lever’ on short-lived climate pollutant mitigation, while at the same time moving fast towards a fossil-free future. Without these actions, the global temperature is expected to pass the 1.5°C threshold by 2030. By 2080, it will shoot to a level not seen for 20 million years.
The world has just 15 years to bend this curve, according to Professor Ramanathan. Achieving this will require large-scale changes in consumption and production. Quoting Goethe, he called for urgent action: ‘Knowing is not enough, you must apply. Willing is not enough, you must do.’
Highlights
Partners presented a methodology and actions that will help the world achieve the Paris Agreement temperature goals while maximizing health and development benefits.
WHO argues there is a real risk for the world to lose its capacity to sustain human life if the Earth’s climate is further altered by more greenhouse gases and air pollutants.
Brazilian racecar driver Lucas di Grassi has announced his support for UN Environment’s work to reduce air pollution and the #BreatheLife campaign.
New data from the WHO reveals an alarming death toll of 7 million people every year caused by ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution.
Applicants now have until July 1 to nominate themselves or another entity for a chance to present their work at the Global Climate Action Summit in September.
One of the plan’s overarching goals is to reduce the annual 12.6 million deaths caused by environmental risks, and especially air pollution.
Upcoming events
- Expert Meeting on Short-lived Climate Forcers (SLCF) | 28 - 31 May | Geneva, Switzerland
- Climate Chance Summit Africa | 28 - 29 June | Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Resources
Professor Veerabhadran Ramanathan, researcher at Scripp's Institution of Oceanography at the University of California and member of the Coalition's...
Several publications were released in recent years that have provided insights and better understanding of short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP) science, including on their emissions, inventories...
Several publications were released in recent years that have provided insights and better understanding of short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP) science, including on their emissions, inventories...
In October 2016, parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer unanimously agreed to amend the Protocol to allow for the phasedown of the super greenhouse gases...
This webinar was organised by the UN Environment Latin America and the Caribbean Office Thursday 3 May. The focus of the webinar was on low cost air monitoring devices, their possible applications...
News from the web
- A development model for the 21st century: Addressing poverty by tackling climate change - Oxfam
- BreatheLife: Global Campaign to Reduce Air Pollution for our Health and Climate - Climatelinks
- Large potential reduction in economic damages under UN mitigation targets - Nature
- MINAM presenta los resultados del inventario nacional de emisiones de CCVC y contaminantes criterio - Aire y Clima Perú
- A new leadership cycle for Costa Rica - BreatheLife