Environmental advocates highlight air pollution’s impact on children’s health

A day after the Environmental Protection Agency announced new air quality standards, the advocacy group Moms Clean Air Force held its inaugural “Climate Disruption, Air Pollution, and Young People’s Health” summit this week in Washington.

The EPA says the new air quality standards will better protect Americans from particulate matter, or soot, and save lives.

“Air pollution is real. Soot pollution is some of the most dangerous pollution and tightening this standard is not only going to protect our children, and most vulnerable populations — but also healthy people equal a healthy economy,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan told ABC News.

“We did this summit so that we could bring together parents and press — people to understand how children need to be put to the center of the climate conversation. We’re talking about toxic chemicals and air pollution and climate disruption,” Dominique Browning, director and co-founder of Moms Clean Air Force told ABC News. “And children are uniquely vulnerable to these dangerous, dangerous impacts of these things. So, we need to be creating policy and laws that take into account children’s special needs.”

Regan also noted the disproportionate impact air pollution has on communities of color. African Americans contract respiratory illness, including asthma, lung disease and lung cancer, at a higher rate than their white counterparts, according to the National Library of Medicine. The likelihood of getting these diseases, and their severity, increases with exposure to air pollution. It’s an issue Regan says the EPA is addressing.

“President Biden has made environmental justice a central pillar to this Administration. He is the first president to talk about environmental justice during the State of the Union,” Regan said.

“And so with that charge, I have created the first national environmental justice and external civil rights program. Over 200 employees at EPA solely focused on ensuring that everything we do on air quality, water quality, cleaning up our lands, is done in a way where we are protecting our most vulnerable, our ej (environment justice) communities, our Black and Brown and tribal communities. So, I’m really excited about the work of this administration. And through the Inflation Reduction Act, over $3 billion … is solely focused on environmental justice and climate equity,” he said.

Climate Disruption, Air Pollution, and Young People’s Health Summit

1. The event was held at the National Press Club.
2. It brought together doctors, government officials, mental health experts, and environmental advocates.
3. The summit focused on the intersection between climate change, air pollution, and public health.

Regan highlighted the partnership between his agency and organizations like Moms Clean Air Force in creating new environmental standards.

Clinton Foundation Vice Chair Chelsea Clinton spoke at the summit and emphasized the importance of keeping children safe from climate change.

Actions to Protect Children from Air Pollution

• Ensure proper ventilation in spaces where children spend time to clean the air.
• Support efforts to reduce pollution in the air for a healthier future.

Liz Hurtado, national field manager for Moms Clean Air Force, attended the event with her child, Lena, a child spokesperson for the organization.

Hurtado expressed the organization’s commitment to seeking solutions and stronger protections against air pollution.

Members of Moms Clean Air Force emphasized the nonpartisan nature of their organization and the importance of educating communities about the impact of air pollution on children’s health.

Patrice Tomcik, national field director for Moms Clean Air Force, shared her personal experience with the effects of climate change and air pollution in her community.

Tomcik highlighted the need for stronger regulations to protect children’s health from the harmful pollutants emitted by oil and gas operations.

Moms Clean Air Force, with 1.5 million members, is dedicated to combating air pollution and protecting children’s health.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 3.9: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution.
• Indicator for SDG 11.6: Air quality index or levels of particulate matter (soot) in the air.
• Indicator for SDG 13.1: Number of climate-related hazards and natural disasters and their impacts on communities.
• Indicator for SDG 16.7: Level of inclusivity and representation in decision-making processes related to environmental policies and regulations.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: abcnews.go.com

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