Today marks #WorldEnvironmentDay 2019, a key event on the yearly calendar for anyone ecologically-inclined. (Which, for the record, should be all of us.) This year, the chosen theme is an important one—air pollution. According to the UN, “approximately 7 million people worldwide die prematurely each year from air pollution, with about 4 million of these deaths occurring in Asia-Pacific”. In fact, 92% of people worldwide don’t breathe clean air. The intention of drawing attention to this situation is, no doubt, to inspire governments, industries, and communities to commit to exploring renewable energy and green technologies that improve air quality around the world. But while it’s easy to think there’s nothing we can do as individuals to make a difference, that’s simply not true. In Australia, our air pollutants (which include gases, chemicals, and airborne particles) are mostly caused by vehicle emissions, industrial gases, and particulates (atmospheric aerosol particles that come from things like hairspray and dry shampoo). So, every time we get in the car to drive to work, switch on the heater or even apply deodorant, we’re making a choice that directly affects air pollution. We’ve pulled together a few easy guidelines you can follow to help reduce air pollution as soon as today. Because feeling empowered (and not overwhelmed) is the first step forward. Head to our stories now for the simple steps you can make to improve air quality today. ☁️ 📷 @emmyphotography13 via @cntraveler ✨
#WorldEnvironmentDay
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