Clean air, like clean water, is in short supply around the world. Many of us take the air we breathe for granted. But we shouldn’t.
Without clean air, we cannot live.
Air pollution is the world’s single biggest environmental health risk. It causes one in nine deaths – more than HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. More than 7 million deaths a year are linked to air pollution, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports.
Nine out of 10 people worldwide breathe polluted air. Those affected are mainly people living in Asia and Africa and in megacities around the globe. Many of these megacities exceed the WHO air quality guidelines by more than five times.
Lung and heart diseases are the most commonly known illnesses linked to air pollution. But research connects air pollution to other diseases from autism to Alhzeimer’s, from diabetes to decreased brain function, and from infertility and low birthweights to immune system defects.
Global partnerships for clean air are essential to the health of the environment and to people worldwide. Breathe Life, a global campaign for clean air, is the brainchild of the WHO, the United Nations and the Climate & Clean Air Coalition: Its goal: to raise people’s awareness of the harm air pollution causes to the environment and to human health.
Joining global movements like these can provide you with some perspective on the magnitude of the air pollution problem. Taking action at the local level, however, often contributes to the bigger picture in meaningful ways. Lobby your local politicians to cut air pollution levels wherever you live and work. Ask schools, restaurants and other places of business where you spend time shopping, eating and working out to support a future with clean air.
Here are some practical measures you can take to reduce air pollution.
• Bike or walk – don’t drive. Studies show that biking or walking reduces exposure to air pollution and delivers benefits that outweigh driving. If you must drive, consider carpooling and ridesharing. Or better yet, take public transportation.
• Reduce your use of fossil fuels and electricity. Switch to a electric or hybrid car and choose an electricity provider that uses renewable energy, not coal or fossil fuels. Turn off your lights and electric appliances when not in use.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle. Cut down on the amount of waste you send to waste treatment plants for incineration.
• Buy and eat food produced locally. Support your local farms (preferably organic ones) and Sourcing food closer to home cuts
transportation emissions, which is good for the air.
• Buy energy-efficient lighting and appliances. Save energy and cut your carbon footprint.
Every breath counts. Do your part to improve the air quality where you live and work better. If you live in an area with poor air quality, be sure to order an Urban Air Mask from Polygiene partner Airinum. The Airinum M90 Winter Limited Edition Urban Air Mask is protective gear for city dwellers that is as iconic as it is essential.
Because Polygiene Stays Fresh Technology is built into the fabric of the M90’s outer layer (called the mask skin), the M90 is unstinkable so you can wear it more and wash it less.
Protect yourself from the harmful effects of air pollution. And protect the environment too.
Wear more. Wash less©