President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has called upon Maldivian people to adopt a more environmentally friendly lifestyle and to believe that air pollution is directly linked to health, urging to refrain from polluting the air. The president made the remark in the message delivered to mark World Environment Day.
In his message, President Solih extended well wishes and greeting to all Maldivian people on the occasion of World Environment Day. He also emphasised and extended gratitude on the work done by associations and institutions to protect the environment.
President Solih deliberated on Air Pollution, the theme for World Environment Day this year. In this regard, the president stated the theme is especially linked to the general health of human beings along with the environment. Referring to statistics from World Health Organisation (WHO), the president noted 4.2 million people die prematurely due to having to breathe toxic air. He further stated around 91% of the World’s population is deprived of access to enough clean air, according to the WHO standards.
Moreover, President Solih emphasised even though Maldives do not have huge industrial factories, toxic gas emission is comparatively high from vehicles from sea and land transportation. Therefore, the president stated Maldives has faced several dilemmas in regards to air pollution. He also stated since the capital of Maldives is highly congested, the people residing in Male’ City have to breath toxic air polluted from land vehicles.
Speaking in this regard, President Solih shed light on the fact the only way to minimise air pollution is to reduce the emission of toxic gases into the air. He also stated this could be achieved by increasing renewable energy mechanisms, reducing the creation of waste or recycling waste. Furthermore, he emphasised the importance of increasing tree plantation and reducing any unnecessary tree destruction since trees are a natural source to produce clean air.
President Solih highlighted the policies of his administration does not encourage the destruction of the environment in the name of development and that since the first day of the government, action has been taken to ensure the environmental protection. In this regard, the president stated the government is searching for ways to reduce air pollution by planting more trees in the congested Male’ and developing more environmentally friendly transportation.