Air pollution is a global problem with far-reaching impacts due to its transboundary nature. It is one of the greatest environmental risks to human health and one of the main avoidable causes of death and disease globally causing an estimated 8 million premature deaths every year. To mobilize global action to address air pollution, the United Nations General Assembly designated September 7 as the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies.

The theme of the 2024 International Day is Invest in #CleanAirNow

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Resources Institute (WRI) have partnered to commemorate the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies in North America on Thursday, September 5th, 2024, to raise awareness of the urgency of boosting national action as well as regional and international collaboration to improve air quality.

The event will begin at 4:00 pm featuring opening remarks by Jennifer Littlejohn, U.S. State Department and John Haynes, NASA and discussion with Rafael Peralta, UNEP, Alejandra Nunez, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Junaid Ahmad, World Bank, (TBC) moderated by Ani Dasgupta, World Resources Institute and will then be followed by a cocktail reception from 5:30 – 6:30 pm.