L'oeil de la Genève Internationale
August 2016

WHO and partners act to cut in half 7 million deaths annually

The equation is simple: 7 million people a year die from air pollution-related diseases and many air pollutants also damage the climate. The World Health Organization (WHO), the Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the Government of Norway are leading “BreatheLife”, a global campaign to halve these deaths and slow the rate of global warming by 2030.

According to the organization, air pollution is the root of some of our most common illnesses, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke and heart disease. It is the single biggest environmental health crisis we face. “BreatheLife” raises awareness about ways to clear the air through actions in key sectors such as transport, energy and housing, and in homes and cities. Practical, affordable interventions can reduce short-lived climate pollutants and gain health and climate benefits if people. Through this campaign, the organization calls for global action.