Second World Conference on Air and Health Pollution is “To Say ‘Arrives’; According to the organization, 367,000 people die in Latin America
A one of the main environmental threats to health, is responsible for 7 million deaths a year in the world, said the this Thursday (27), in Colombia. Gathered in Cartagena, representatives of the United Nations Agency, the Pan American Health Organization, the European Union, experts and local authorities have discussed solutions to prevent pollution-related diseases and measures to face the climate crisis. The second world conference on air and health pollution is “to say ‘. We want to breathe an air that does not kill us, it is that simple,” said María Neira, director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Public Health at WHO.
According to the organization, 367,000 people die in Latin America per year of air pollution diseases, which are the second leading cause of death in the world, after hypertension, ”said María.“ We consider pollution an invisible pandemic, a slow-motion pandemic, ”said Javier López, vice president of the European Parliament. About 750 people participated in the 3-day congress in Cartagena. According to delegates, pollution levels have improved worldwide, but there are still major challenges, such as determining growing urbanization and reducing the use of pollutant fuels for cooking.
The groups most affected by poor air quality are poor populations and indigenous communities. The fight against pollution reduces inequality, protects ecosystems, and economically benefits countries, which save money in health with fewer cases of related diseases, said López.
*With information from AFP
Posted by Sarah Paula
