State of Global Air 2024 Report Highlights Alarming Air Pollution Deaths
The recently released "State of Global Air 2024" report, published by the Health Effects Institute and Health Metrics and Evaluation in collaboration with UNICEF, reveals a disturbing rise in air pollution-related deaths globally. The report indicates that 8.1 million people worldwide died due to air pollution in 2021, a significant increase from the 7.2 million deaths reported in 2019.
In Nepal alone, the number of air pollution-related deaths rose from 42,100 in 2019 to 48,500 in 2021. The report attributes 58% of these deaths to PM 2.5—fine particulate matter mixed with dust—38% to indoor pollution, and 6% to ozone exposure. It highlights that air pollution, following high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for human health, particularly in South Asian and African countries.
The United Nations General Assembly has recognized clean air, health, and a sustainable environment as fundamental human rights. Similarly, Article 30 of Nepal's Constitution enshrines "healthy and clean air" as a basic right of its citizens. Despite these provisions, implementation remains lacking.
Key causes of air pollution identified in the report include the extensive use of fossil fuels and biomass, open burning of garbage, inadequate waste management, burning of agricultural residues, forest fires, and excessive use of pesticides. The report also underscores the heightened vulnerability of children, senior citizens, chronic patients, and women to the effects of air pollution, leading to adverse impacts on education, health, labor, and production sectors.
In response to the findings, Clean Air Network Nepal (CANN) has called for urgent actions, including:
1. Development and Implementation of a National Action Plan: For air pollution control and management.
2. Monitoring and Regulation: Of air-polluting industries, factories, motor vehicles, and other polluting entities.
3. Protection of Vulnerable Groups: By ensuring their environmental human rights and creating alternatives to mitigate pollution exposure.
4. Legal and Policy Revisions: Immediate review and amendment of acts, laws, standards, procedures, and plans related to air pollution.
5. Forest Fire Management: Creation and implementation of a national action plan to prevent air pollution caused by forest fires.
6. Waste Management Solutions: Particularly for Kathmandu Valley, to ensure clean air for residents of affected areas like Nuwakot and Dhading.
7. Public Awareness and Engagement: Through schools, community organizations, and media to foster a wide debate on air pollution.
8. Civil Campaign Participation: Inviting all individuals and organizations to join the civil campaign against air pollution led by CANN.
Formed in 2004, CANN promotes collaboration among stakeholders to address air pollution issues in Nepal. It is a semi-formal network comprising individuals, experts, NGOs, government organizations, and the private sector, and it serves as the local country network of the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia). Clean Energy Nepal (CEN) currently functions as the secretariat of CANN.
