Fossil Fuels, Air Pollution, Climate Change & Health in South Asia

On 7th September, Treaty partners CANSA co-hosted a webinar with Health Care Without Harm, Doctors For Clean Air & Climate Action, Air Quality Life Index, and Lung Care Foundation.

The webinar - “Fossil Fuels, Air Pollution, Climate Change and Health: Resolving South Asia’s Air Pollution and Climate Crisis through a Health Lens” - featured doctors and medical practitioners representing some of the largest associations and networks of public health in South Asia.

These experts called upon South Asian Governments to phase out fossil fuels – oil, gas and coal – to avert the twin crisis of air pollution and climate change. They also endorsed the Fossil Fuel Treaty and called for a just and fair transition that puts people’s health first.

Out of the top 50 cities in the world with poorest air quality in 2020, 42 are in South Asia. Air pollution exposure is the second most important risk factor for ill health in South Asia.

Speaker Dr Nawang Norbu, Bhutan Ecological Society, Head, Max Planck Research Partner Group, said: “we still have to keep our feet on the earth, drink the water that flows in it and breathe the air which is there. Now is the time to amplify our efforts to strengthen global networks. We must allow our children to have a future where they can breathe.”

Continue reading the full event summary for more highlights on CANSA’s website. More resources related to the webinar, including a full event recording is also available online.