Clean Air Day is the UK’s largest air pollution campaign. The World Health Organisation and the UK Government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today, resulting in issues such as low birth weight and child lung development. This Clean Air Day, while we are mindful of pollution at home, we are also considering issues that others face across the world, and how we can help them.
What do you first think of when you hear the term “clean air”?
It can mean different things to different people, depending on how it affects you. For many of us, this means reducing pollution by switching to things like carpooling, cycling, and finding ways to holiday more sustainably. But for some people, “clean air” hits much closer to home: it means getting the chance to remove indoor pollution from their own houses.
We are referring to the very real issue that many people face in developing countries. Indoor pollution, created by smoke from firewood and charcoal used to cook food and warm homes, is a major cause of death for women and children.
The State of Access to Modern Energy Cooking Services report finds that 4 billion people around the world still lack access to clean, efficient, convenient, safe, reliable, and affordable cooking energy. While around 1.25 billion are considered in transition with access to improved cooking services, the other 2.75 billion face significantly higher access barriers.