– The problem of deteriorating global air quality, exacerbated by the climate disaster, poses a serious risk for both human health and the environment.
– As we celebrate International Clean Air Day, the UN declares that shared responsibilities, international cooperation and investments are more important than ever.
– The four UpLink innovators listed below want to make it easier for us to breathe.
The consequences of global warming endanger human health and ecosystems and accelerate the decline in air quality. Approximately 99 million people worldwide die prematurely every year due to indoor and outdoor air pollution, according to the World Health Organization, which claims that approximately 7% of the world's population breathes polluted air.
Celebrating the fourth International Clean Air Day of the United Nations (UN) with the theme "Together for Clean Air", the organization states that the need for international cooperation, financial support and shared responsibility in the fight against air pollution has never been more critical.
Trees are of vital importance both for our continued existence on earth and for efforts to stop the climate problem. In addition to lowering temperatures, maintaining the health of the soil and helping sustain animal life, trees also remove billions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Current Situation in Air Pollution:
The latest Air Quality Living Index (AQLI) annual update provides striking statistics on the health risks associated with air pollution. Air pollution, which poses the greatest danger to human health, shortens the life of an average person by 2,3 years and has a similar effect to smoking on life expectancy.
According to AQLI, the global pollution picture varies from region to region, mostly due to unequal opportunities to reduce pollution. While wildfires in Europe, Canada and the United States have been in the news this summer, other parts of the world often experience high amounts of pollution as well.
The research claims that just six countries account for three-quarters of the impact of pollution on world life: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, China, Nigeria and Indonesia.
According to the AQLI report, the share of charitable funds allocated to combat air pollution in Africa is only under $300,000, while $1,4 million is distributed to Asian countries excluding China and India, and $34 million is distributed to Europe, the United States and Canada.
The two most polluted cities in the world are located in India and Pakistan.
One-third of stroke-related deaths in the world are caused by air pollution.
Air pollution has a serious impact on our health because it causes microscopic, invisible particles to enter our bodies through our lungs, bloodstream and body. According to the UN, these pollutants are responsible for nearly a third of heart attacks and a quarter of deaths from stroke, lung cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.
Additionally, ground-level ozone, which is created when different pollutants interact with sunlight, worsens asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions. Especially in developing countries, this burden is disproportionately distributed on women, children and the elderly. This condition is a result of exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution from kerosene, wood and coal-fired cooking and heating.
What measures does the World Economic Forum take against air pollution?
Short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP) such as carbon, methane and troposphere ozone, which are the largest contributors to the global greenhouse effect after carbon dioxide, pose a dual threat to the climate, affecting both human health and the rapid warming capacity of the planet. They remain in the air for varying periods of time, from a few days to several decades. For people living in areas where high levels of SLCPs are present, reducing them can provide immediate benefits for their health and the environment.
Trees are the biggest helpers in cleaning the air:
According to the UN, air pollution is a transboundary problem that requires coordinated action from local, national, regional and international stakeholders. To effectively combat air pollution, governments are encouraging businesses, civil society and individuals to work together across borders and sectors.
Forests play a crucial role in removing carbon dioxide from the air through the process of photosynthesis. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas responsible for climate change, and release oxygen, a vital element for human survival. This natural carbon capture process helps reduce the harmful effects of air pollution, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment.
However, deforestation remains a critical concern, with approximately 10 million hectares (100.000 km2) of forest lost globally each year. In 2020, the World Economic Forum launched a global initiative to grow, restore and protect 1 trillion trees worldwide to restore biodiversity and help combat climate change. “1t.org” The project aims to unite governments, non-governmental organisations, businesses and individuals “in a mass-scale nature restoration”.
The following four innovators from the Forum's Uplink platform are focused on improving air quality around the world.
Acacia Eco – Giving back trees to India
“We really care about forests. We don't have all the answers, but we know what we need to do: plant enough trees to make a difference,” say the founders of Acacia Eco.
To date, the company has rehabilitated more than 91 hectares (825.000m36,4) by planting more than 364.000 trees in 2 urban forests. It does this by planting trees in urban areas such as schools, factories and community lands.
While the company was doing this, a Japanese botanist, Dr. It uses the Miyawaki technique developed by Akira Miyawaki. According to this method, trees must be grown close together to prevent topsoil erosion caused by rains. This method, which can help establish self-sufficient and rapidly expanding urban forests within two years, has been used successfully in the most challenging soil and climate conditions.
India has pledged to increase forest cover to 2030% by 25 from the current level of 33%.
SUGi – bringing together donors and forest producers
The SUGi platform connects funders with Forest Makers and Ocean Gardeners groups that are rebuilding ecosystems around the world. There are currently 160 small forests around the world, including those in Cameroon, the UK, the US and Australia. The company sponsored the first pocket forest in Beirut, Lebanon, in May 2019.
These Miyawaki mini forests grow in various climatic conditions such as Mediterranean, semi-arid, humid tropical and temperate oceanic. As of 2022, there are 237.411 plants and 93.905 m2 of total planted forest.
In addition, between 2019 and 2021, the average of individual forests increased from 396,3 m2 to 661,3 m2 last year.
Donors can make one-time payments or donate regularly for as little as $5.
Earthwatch Europe – project to create a network of mini forests in the UK
Three years ago Earthwatch Europe established the first Little Forest in the UK in Witney, Oxford. More than 200 of these urban oases have now been produced across the UK.
Using the Miyawaki (Tiny Forest) technique, mini forests consist of dense, fast-growing native trees. According to Earthwatch, it finds ideal sites in metropolitan areas where nature is needed most and then works with local communities to plant, maintain and ultimately monitor forests.
In 2022, 80 Tiny Forests were observed by volunteers with the participation of approximately 3.500 citizen scientists. They included volunteers from the Tree Keeper programme's nationwide network, as well as local residents, students and employees of local companies.
For each forest it plants, the company collects environmental and social data to help compare them with other forests over time and evaluate the benefits they offer. According to Earthwatch, forests create a sense of connection to the environment and increase public understanding of climate disaster.
3D printed vibrant landscapes from Urban Reef
Urban Reef is a Dutch startup that develops “reefs”—3D-printed sculptures or urban furniture made from living materials such as mycelium, river dredge, seashells, and clay—to increase biodiversity in urban areas.
Thanks to their ability to absorb water and accommodate different microclimates together, they help create a wide variety of plants, insects and animals that can live in cities.
The founders believe that in order to live in peace with our environment, we need to offer more space for wilderness and nature, both physically and in our thoughts. In light of this, they say, we see cities as living landscapes.
📩 11/09/2023 18:24