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On World Environment Day take a moment to think about the quality of air you breathe and how critical it is to your health.

While clean air is a human right, and is everyone’s responsibility, more than six billion people, one-third of them children, regularly breathe air that is so polluted it puts their health and wellbeing at risk. That’s more than 90% of the world’s population.

Health effects of air pollution on human body

#BeatAirPollution is the theme of World Environment Day 2019. The United Nation’s campaign is calling on governments, industry, communities and individuals to take action to explore renewable energy and green technologies, and improve the air quality in cities and regions across the world.

Air pollution is preventable- the solutions include laws, standards, policies, programs, investments and technologies, which are widely known and can be implemented.

Celebrated every year on 5 June, World Environment Day is the United Nations’ biggest annual event for positive environmental action to encourage worldwide awareness of the need to protect our planet.

Activities this year include China hosting World Environment Day, with events taking place in the eastern city of Hangzhou; in addition, there will be a large number of events and celebrations around the world.

Everyone can help beat air pollution. The United Nation’s top eight tips that you can start doing today are:

  1. Use public transport or car sharing, cycle or walk
  2. Switch to a hybrid or electric vehicle and request electric taxis
  3. Turn off the car engine when stationary
  4. Reduce your consumption of meat and dairy to help cut methane emissions
  5. Compost organic food items and recycle non-organic trash
  6. Switch to high-efficiency home heating systems and equipment
  7. Save energy: turn off lights and electronics when not in use 
  8. Choose non-toxic paints and furnishings