Air pollution driving widespread human rights violations, UN expert warns

Air pollution is causing widespread violations of fundamental human rights, a United Nations expert has told the Human Rights Council, warning that billions of people are being exposed to dangerous air every day. Addressing the council in Geneva, Astrid Puentes Riaño said the scale of exposure is nearly universal. “Today 99% of the global population breathe polluted air that poses a risk to our health and our lives,” she said.

By Caleb Ahinakwah