Beyond the data and policies, the issue of clean air is a moral and spiritual one. It is a shared mission that calls on people of faith to act for climate justice and peace. Air pollution disproportionately harms the most vulnerable among us, making the fight for clean air a fundamental act of justice.
In this spirit, we are reminded of the words of Pope Francis in Laudato Si’
Laudato Si’ is an encyclical written by Pope Francis and published in May 2015. Its title, translated from Italian, means “Praise be to You,” a reference to St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures. This encyclical focuses on the care of the environment, addressing the ecological crisis and calling for action to combat climate change, environmental degradation, and social injustices. Pope Francis emphasizes the interconnectedness of all creation and critiques consumerism, irresponsible development, and the disregard for nature. It is one of the most influential religious documents on environmental ethics.
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“A true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” (P49)
Similarly, from an Islamic perspective, a core principle found in sources like the Al Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth states:
” to begin to heal the communities of life that we have so gravely wounded, (we need) to become caring, competent khalīfahs on the Earth”.
These principles remind us that we are not separate from the environment but are integral to a single, interconnected system. Caring for our planet is a sacred trust, and the pursuit of clean air is a shared responsibility rooted in our deepest values.
Every year on 7 September, the United Nations marks the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, a vital reminder of the urgent global need to improve air quality. Established in 2019 and first observed in 2020, the UN designated this day to unite governments, businesses, and communities to act against air pollution.
The 2025 campaign theme—“Racing for Air. Every Breath Matters”—draws a powerful comparison between the urgency of combating air pollution and the determination of athletic endurance, spotlighting both fairness and action. With air pollution contributing to around 8 million premature deaths annually, from strokes to lung cancer and respiratory infections, the campaign rightly frames it as the second leading global health risk. This international day serves as a platform to share solutions, strengthen cooperation, and inspire action, highlighting that clean air is not merely an environmental concern, but a fundamental human right.
Clean Air, Shared Responsibility
Supporting the UN’s emphasis on global cooperation, the Clean Air Blue Skies campaign reinforces that air pollution knows no boundaries, demanding collaboration across sectors and borders. With 99% of the global population breathing polluted air, the message is unequivocal: “We can’t take it anymore.”
A Northern Ireland Perspective
Northern Ireland may be a small region, but the stakes are no less high. Around 900 premature deaths in the region are attributable to air pollution each year.
Civil society groups, such as Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland, are calling for urgent action. Their advocacy includes:
- A legislated Clean Air Strategy, aligned with WHO guidelines
- Low Emissions Zones, improved pollution monitoring, and a Right to Breathe alert system for vulnerable populations
- A ban on the most polluting domestic fuels and support for cleaner alternatives
- Enhanced public transport, expanded EV infrastructure, and no-idling zones around schools
Government progress is underway: the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is developing Northern Ireland’s first Clean Air Strategy, following public consultation in 2020–2021. Meanwhile, Belfast City Council has identified several Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs), including hotspots along major roads and initiated a robust Air Quality Action Plan (2021–2026) to shift toward sustainable transport and cleaner air.
Why This Day Matters to Northern Ireland
Internationally, the day is about collective action. Locally, in Northern Ireland, it offers a moment to:
- Highlight the human cost of polluted air—our health, our economy, our communities.
- Energise public support for ongoing policy reforms and cleaner technologies.
- Build bridges across the island, as evidenced by a €6.5m cross-border Clean Air project combining community engagement, science, and policymaking.
Conclusion: Every Breath is a Shared Mission
Air pollution doesn’t respect borders, local or international. On this International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, our focus must be clear: we are in a race, not against each other, but against time and pollution. In Northern Ireland and around the globe, every breath truly matters and is vital to our shared humanity: “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Job 33:4