What is the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies?

Did you know that natural threats like earthquakes and volcanoes are linked to human-created threats like air pollution and climate change? All these phenomena are being brought about more frequently with the development of technologies and the increase in the populational rate. The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies was created to raise awareness of these harmful changes.

Air pollution is a problem that knows no boundaries and spread around the planet easily. For that, it is easy to relate it to other global threats, such as climate change and biodiversity loss. 

Moreover, we have to remember that we all need to take part in this to prevent any more damage to our atmosphere.

In this post, we invite you to learn more about this special and important day, celebrated annually, and how you be a part of it and contribute to a better world for all of us. Furthermore, you will also learn more about Redda+ and how it works to continue the riverside people culture in the Amazon Rainforest without damaging nature and/or traditions.

In this post has:

• What is the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies?
• How to collaborate to keep the air clean?
• Get to know Redda+

What is the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies?

The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is a day used to highlight the link between air quality and human being wellness. 

Since air pollution is the most hazardous environmental threat to breathing quality, the day was created to raise awareness of how we can contribute to better air as well as prevent causes of deaths and illness worldwide.

Seeking the promotion of clean air for everybody, it is celebrated annually, on September 7th, and includes international cooperation on data collection and integrated research for the development of new technologies that would result in the possibility of creating air quality. 

More than that, it is a day to also reflect on how much damage we are doing to our planet, with the increasing quantity of greenhouse effect gases in the atmosphere. After all, with these gases polluting the air, they also contribute to climate change. Making these two problems being addressed together and dealt with by the same people. Us.

How did it come about? Who created it?

Air pollution is a problem that has been only increasing and not only in recent days. In 2016, it was the cause of 6.5 million premature deaths across the world, including both indoor and outdoor air pollution.

So it is not a recent thing to worry about. As it can be the most avoidable environmental risk to human health, the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies was created in 2019, during the 74th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

It is important to address that this resolution was adopted without a vote, which means all nations considered it an important issue that should be given attention.

The UN Member States recognized that it is necessary to reduce the number of deaths and illnesses caused by the dangerous quantity of chemicals in the air, soil, and water by 2030. It means the resolution goes in line with the UN Goals for Sustainable Development, which intends on creating a better relationship between humans and the Earth by 2030.

In fact, the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies could very well be a branch of the 3rd goal, which states that it is needed to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”.

International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies 2022 theme

Each year is set a new theme to celebrate this day.

In 2022, the third International day of Clean Air for Blue Skies theme is going to be “The Air We Share”. 

Focusing on how air pollution is not only one nation’s problem, as it travels across the globe, the theme of this year also highlights the need to create collaborative ways for accountability and collective actions.

How to collaborate to keep the air clean?

We can all do our part to collaborate to keep the air clean, for our sake and for others’.

For that, try following the tips listed below. We know it’s not easy to do all of them all the time, but every little help counts and matters. Start easy and once you get the hang of it, add a few more tips to your daily life.

For companies

• Start a program that reduces air pollution from your operations and suppliers;
• Collect data and elaborate emission inventories for your company;
• Calculate your Carbon Footprint and reduce it;
• Start a “Plant a Tree” Policy; 
• Promote awareness campaigns with your employees. The more people know how to help, the better.

For people

• Reduce the number of car trips you do. Carpool is a way to reduce it, but you can also use public transportation and/or ride your bike to work and/or school;
• Do not start fires. At least in Brazil, it is a common practice to get rid of leaves and pasture. But it is also incredibly dangerous to the air quality;
• You can also plant a tree;
• Avoid using gas-powered equipment.

Find out how REDDA+ and you can help

Redda+ develops projects based on REDD+ mechanisms and the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. These projects are applied to traditional peoples and communities to join forces in the preservation and conservation of the environment. However, without ignoring the families that have always lived in the region and have a very close relationship with the forest.

In this way, Redda+ believes that it is possible to learn from forest peoples and collaborate in sustainable development. It is an exchange where both sides help each other for the greater good. This way, communities can continue to make a living from the forest, but they also do it with environmental awareness. In addition, they share their knowledge gathered during years of history and traditions in the region.

To develop the projects, Redda+ relies on the following pillars: economic, social, cultural, and environmental. It is a way of understanding that societies work from different perspectives, and all of them complement each other in some way. When these pillars are considered and developed in partnerships, the long-term results are promising.

What we want is to support the people of the Amazon Rainforest to grow and develop with autonomy and sustainability. In addition, we hope to apply actions that help offset the excessive emission of greenhouse gases. Click here, to learn more about our projects and join us too.