In observance of this year's World Clean Air Day, pro-environmental media NGO EcoMedia Development Initiatives has emphasized the need for the Liberian Government and people to initiate policies and enforce practices to combat air pollution and ensure environmental safety for all citizens.
World Clean Air Day, also known as the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, is celebrated every year on September 7. Established by the United Nations, the day aims to raise awareness about the importance of clean air for health, environmental protection, and economic development. This year’s theme, "Invest In CleanAirNow," stresses the urgent need for stronger partnerships, increased investment, and shared responsibility in tackling the global issue of air pollution.
“It's time that we should not continue to politicize the issue of Clean Air for Blue Skies without taking real actions to ensure it happens,” said D. Kaihenneh Sengbeh, Executive Director and Founder of EcoMedia, in a press statement issued in Monrovia on the eve of World Clean Air Day. “We need strong, enforceable laws, supported by political will and needed resources to implement the laws to save the environment and our lives. If we need clean air, we need actions now.”
EcoMedia is advocating for Liberia to take concrete steps to address air pollution, including passing relevant legislation, raising public awareness, and educating citizens about practices that promote clean air. The NGO highlighted that common practices like poor garbage disposal and burning waste during dry seasons contribute significantly to air and environmental pollution, leading to respiratory illnesses and other health risks. EcoMedia is specifically calling on the Liberian government, through the Environmental Protection Agency, to collaborate with city and township authorities to tackle air pollution by enforcing city ordinances, supported by citizen awareness programs.
“We must start the awareness and action from homes and communities and extend it to offices, industrial areas, and schools. We must even bring it into churches and mosques where our people regularly gather”, Sengbeh emphasized.
According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), air pollution is the second leading risk factor for premature death, causing approximately 8.1 million deaths annually from conditions like stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections. Globally, 99% of people breathe polluted air, and more than 700,000 children under the age of five die each year from causes related to household and outdoor air pollution.
EcoMedia argues that Liberia is not immune to these devastating consequences. Mr. Sengbeh noted that his organization, established in late 2023, seeks to bridge the gap between the media and environmental advocacy by leveraging media influence to raise awareness on climate change and environmental sustainability. On this year’s International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, EcoMedia calls on everyone, including the media, to take a stand in favor of clean air as a transformative step toward securing a healthy future for all.
Source: EcoMedia Development Initiatives
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