C40 Mayors write ‘Letters to Air’

Ahead of the UN’s International Day of Blue Skies (tomorrow, Saturday 7th) three mayors from the C40 network of Mayors have each written a ‘Letter to Air’ highlighting the issues with air quality in their cities and showing how they are addressing it.

Below are edited versions of the three letters.

From Kirk Watson, Mayor of Austin:

We must approach air quality as both an environmental concern and a fundamental public health priority.

We’ve learned a lot about air quality and health since I started my public service more than 30 years ago. At the time, East Austin residents were fighting a toxic tank farm located in a residential area that was home primarily to communities of colour. Residents reported chronic health problems including headaches, asthma, skin lesions, lung disease, and cancer issues thought to be linked to contamination originating from the storage facility.

In 1991, as the chairman of the Texas Air Control Board, the state agency responsible for air quality, I worked with the East Austin community to shut down this facility and created a statewide task force on environmental racism. Among other items, I also worked with the EPA to create the first-ever international air shed to address air quality in El Paso.

When I first became the Mayor of Austin in 1997, I started working with elected officials and business leaders from across the region to work proactively to improve air quality. The result, an agreement known as the Clean Air Compact, was signed in 2002 and set out actions that kept us in attainment with federal rules. The program worked well.

Our partnership with neighbouring communities is vital to tackling these shared challenges effectively. Austin is proud to lead initiatives that inspire positive change and build resilience against climate impacts. By working together, we aim to set an example for others, ensuring that future generations will breathe cleaner air and enjoy a healthier, more sustainable city.

Sincerely,
Mayor Kirk Watson

From Heru Budi Hartono, Acting Governor of Jakarta:

Every day, our city is home to over 17.3 million motorcycles and 3.7 million passenger cars, all contributing to a serious issue: deteriorating air quality. This pollution not only diminishes our quality of life but also poses severe health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups, including minorities and those on lower incomes, who are disproportionately affected by poor air quality.

Clean air is a fundamental right, and it is our collective responsibility to safeguard this right for every resident of Jakarta. I am deeply committed to addressing the challenges posed by air pollution and mitigating its impact on public health and our economy.

Since September 2022, Jakarta has made significant strides in tackling air pollution. Our achievements include expanding air quality monitoring with both reference stations and low-cost sensors to better understand our city’s air quality. We are addressing the most polluting activities, such as coal stockpiling and steel smelting industries that fail to meet environmental standards, through administrative penalties. 

The Jakarta government implemented a micro-scale low-emission zone in Kota Tua in February 2021, and in Tebet Eco Park in 2022, which has achieved significant improvements in air quality within the zone.

We need to deepen our understanding of air pollution and safeguard Jakarta’s residents from exposure to polluted air. We must build a collective endeavour that requires more than just policy changes; it demands active community involvement and support. I urge every resident, organisation, and business to join us in this essential effort. Through effective policies, collaborative actions, and community-driven initiatives, we can work together to clean our air and create a healthier and more sustainable Jakarta for all.

Sincerely,
Acting Governor Heru Budi Hartono

From: Ted Wheeler, Mayor of Portland

As both an avid adventurer and triathlete, and as the Mayor of Portland, I understand personally and professionally how crucial clean air is for our community’s health and wellbeing. I depend on clean air to thrive and to perform my best, and we all depend on clean air to protect our health and our families.

Not everyone in Portland enjoys clean air daily, as our city, like many others, suffers from heightened pollution near freeways, transportation corridors, and industrial zones. The impacts of climate change, including frequent heat waves and smoke from wildfires, exacerbate this issue. Combined with emissions from vehicles and industrial chemicals, these conditions lead to increased smog, prompting the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to issue an air-quality advisory this August. The rise in wildfires across the West has contributed to more frequent days of poor air quality due to smoke

The City of Portland recently adopted several plans related to air quality and carbon emission reductions that will reinforce our commitment to clean air over the coming decades. These plans and projects include the Climate Emergency Workplan, EV Ready Code Project, 2040 Portland Freight Plan, and the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund’s Climate Investment Plan.

While we have much work ahead to improve air quality for all Portlanders, I’m proud of the steps we have taken. Our actions must target populations most vulnerable to air pollution, including children, the elderly, people with disabilities, communities of colour, low-income populations, and outdoor workers. Together, we must continue to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and pollutants that compromise our air quality and public health.

Sincerely,
Mayor Ted Wheeler