‘Air quality does not respect limits“Said Lorenzo Labrador, scientific officer at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). “The smoke and pollution that problems from the forest fires in this record break season on the Iberian peninsula has been detected over Western Europe [and]… in principle the rest of the European continent can travel. “
The newest presentation WMO -Air Quality and Climate Bulletin What data from different worldwide data sets crack, Mr Labrador announced a constant pattern of pollution “relegation” worldwide.
He pointed to a map of the world in 2024 with multi -paid fine particle markers known as “PM 2.5” of forest fires concentrated in deep red spots in Chile, Brazil and Ecuador, together with Canada, Central Africa and Siberia.
The data confirms a disturbing trend in loss of air quality that has been noted in previous years.
“We know that the natural fire season tends to be stronger and longer every year, as a result of climate change,” Mr Labrador explained.
China, Europe offer hope
In more positive news, the Social Support Act scientist underlined a reduction in emissions in some parts of the world, ”East -China and Europe in particular, year after year“.
‘When we see that countries or regions or cities are taking measures to fight against poor air quality, it works“Said Paolo Laj, head of the WMOs Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) program.
A good example is East -China, in cities such as Shanghai, where progress has been made to stimulate air quality by opening more parks and planting more trees.
And although there is still a heavy vehicle traffic, many are now electric, WMO spokesperson Clare Nullis noted.
Despite these successes, very few cities worldwide have air quality levels that are recommended by the UN World Health Organization (WHO), WMOs emphasized Mr Laj. ‘This means that, despite recent improvements, air quality remains a significant problem for public health. “
He explained that although main pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (STD dioxide) and nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) decrease as emission controls come into effect, ozone levels at ground level-the most important ingredient of smog-not have decreased.
“This is partly a consequence of global warming, because ozone is a secondary pollutants formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere that require sunlight,” continued Mr. Laj.
Covering forest fires, winter fog, shipping emissions and pollution in urban spaces, the WMO Air Quality Bulletin Emphasizes the narrow connection between air quality and climate change.
“Climate change and air quality cannot be tackled separately. They go hand in hand and have to be tackled together to protect the health of our planet, our communities and our economies,” said WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett.
The UN is leading efforts to tackle the air pollution of households, which is one of the world’s greatest threats to public health and particularly harmful to children.
“The good news is that cleaner cooking technology is abundant, relatively cheap and helps to save lives,” Martina Otto was on, head of the secretariat of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition organized by the UN Milieu Program (((UNEP).
‘The challenge now is to get this technology in the hands of more people. “
Convention is cleared
Action to tackle air pollution is also taking place at an intergovernmental level thanks to the Convention on LangenArgeing raised air pollution. It includes the Pan-European region and North America, air quality improvements and is supported by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (Unece).
Often referred to as the Air conventionThe international agreement brings together 51 countries that determine legally binding emission limits to regulate large air pollutants.
Since the approval in 1979, the Convention has consistently improved air quality in the region, which saves around 600,000 lives annually, says Unece.
“In Europe, the emission reductions achieved have added to life expectancy for a whole year,” the UN agency noted. “But with much more to do, experts are Work now on revisions To further strengthen the reduction measures of air pollution. “
Increasingly, other regions – especially in East and Suth Asia, but also South America – are looking for Learn from the science policy model behind the success of the Air Convention in the past 45 years. This work is facilitated by initiatives such as the Forum For International cooperation in the field of air pollution.
As part of his assignment, Unece is also responsible for agreeing international standards about measurement methods for vehicle emissions and cleaner fuels.
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