How to stop this killer
a Global Action Plan
Reducing the exposure to smoke of approximately half the world's population will take concerted political will, international coordination, government action and targeted funding. It will require energy, environment, health, shelter and development sectors to work together in partnership. What is urgently required is a global campaign that matches the severity of this chronic problem.
Practical Action is calling for a Global Action Plan to address this neglected killer. This would include:
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National task forces, that bring together national governments, private companies and non-governmental organisations. Each task force would be charged with increasing national awareness of the dangers of smoke, making cleaner fuels more available to poor communities and developing other appropriate solutions to get smoke out of homes.
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A global partnership, which puts global political weight and resources into the existing Partnership for Clean Indoor Air. This Partnership brings together leading international players from the health, development, energy, shelter and environment sectors. Increased political weight and resources will enable it to work towards a global solution and to prepare strategic plans to tackle indoor air pollution in the longer term.
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A global fund, which secures extra resources from governments and international donors like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, to finance further research and bring clean air to millions of homes. For relatively little outlay, massive health benefits could be achieved and millions of lives could be saved. Around $500 million a year would kick-start an effective market in low-cost smoke solutions.
