June 5 was World Environment day, a global UN campaign aiming to raise awareness of climate change and environmental issues, and its theme this year was beat air pollution. The theme of this year’s edition was quite timely as statistics show Air pollution is at an all-time high. Before we delve further into Air pollution, Here’s some history on World Environment Day;
Established by the United Nations Assembly in 1972 – on day one of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment – it was conceived to raise awareness on emerging environmental issues from marine pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife crime.
It wasn’t until two years later, however, in 1974, that the first World Environment Day took place and it was themed under the slogan of ‘Only One Earth’.
Thereafter, it fell on the same day every year. In 1987, the decision was taken to designate a different country to host the celebrations each year.
In 1988, Thailand took up the mantle, with ‘When People Put the Environment First, Development Will Last’ as its theme. The following year, it was Belgium, and the year after that, Brazil.
China hosted World Environment Day this year in the city of Hangzhou, urging “governments, industry, communities and individuals to come together to explore renewable energy and green technologies, and improve air quality in cities and regions around the world”.
The UN in an official statement said “World Environment Day will focus on the theme of air pollution — a call for action to combat one of the greatest environmental emerging challenges of our time.
“World Environment Day invites us all to consider how we can make changes in our daily lives to reduce air pollution, which in turn can both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and benefit people’s health.
“The good news is that air pollution is largely avoidable and its negative consequences are preventable. Solutions are known and can be implemented. The world needs to act now.”
Here are some ways you can reduce air pollution:
1. The main source of household air pollution is the burning of fossils fuels and open fires for heating, grilling, cooking and lighting, this involves the use of firewood. If possible, try and use cleaner, more modern stoves that can reduce their impact.
2. One of the biggest contributors to air pollution is in the transport sector, especially in urban areas thanks to cars and planes. One way this can be combatted is by carpooling, in order to reduce the amount of cars on the road, and the use of boats in riverine areas.
3. A huge source of air pollution is from methane-producing livestock, which the UN says is more potent than carbon dioxide. One tip is moving to a plant-based diet, while another is reducing food waste. A quote from Albert Einstein (Nobel prize 1921) goes: “Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” A fully vegetarian diet will not be sustainable for everyone so it might be easier to begin by cutting on your meat consumption.
4. Burning waste and open landfills release harmful gases into the atmosphere and contributes directly to the problem. To help out, it is recommended that you reduce food waste to stop so much being sent to landfill, while another is to separate your rubbish effectively. You could also install a compost bin in your garden.
5. Renewable energy will help combat the impact that coal-burning power plants and diesel generators have on the environment. Always remember to turn off lights and electronics when you’re not using them. You could also install solar panels on your house (we have an abundance of sunshine in Nigeria) and invest in the renewable energy sector, it’s a source of energy that does not only help the environment but is more reliable than NEPA.