Everyday, the air that most of us breathe is increasing our risk of strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, asthma, and so much more. This is because of air pollution that comes largely from burning fossil fuels, which also drives the climate emergency. 

Alongside the release of a new study which highlighted the global cost of air pollution from burning fossil fuels and an estimated 4.5 million deaths each year worldwide due to the same fossil fuels, people have been taking to the streets across the world to demand #CleanAirNow. Together, we are powerful.

See for yourself! Below are some images from the incredible #CleanAirNow moments that have taken place so far in 2020.

Thailand: 23 January & 28 January

Activists hold placards sending message to Thai government to tackle air pollution problem.

Greenpeace Thailand together with EnLaw, EARTH, BioThai, Foundation for Consumers, Friend Zone, Mayday, Climate Strike Thailand and civil society today call on Thai government to take urgent steps to combat the PM2.5 levels in Thailand’s air.
Activists hold placards sending message to Thai government to tackle air pollution problem. Greenpeace Thailand together with EnLaw, EARTH, BioThai, Foundation for Consumers, Friend Zone, Mayday, Climate Strike Thailand and civil society today call on Thai government to take urgent steps to combat the PM2.5 levels in Thailand’s air.
© Wason Wanichakorn / Greenpeace
Activists hold placards sending message to Thai government to tackle air pollution problem.

Greenpeace Thailand together with EnLaw, EARTH, BioThai, Foundation for Consumers, Friend Zone, Mayday, Climate Strike Thailand and civil society today call on Thai government to take urgent steps to combat the PM2.5 levels in Thailand’s air.
Activists hold placards sending message to Thai government to tackle air pollution problem. Greenpeace Thailand together with EnLaw, EARTH, BioThai, Foundation for Consumers, Friend Zone, Mayday, Climate Strike Thailand and civil society today call on Thai government to take urgent steps to combat the PM2.5 levels in Thailand’s air.
© Wason Wanichakorn / Greenpeace
Prapokklao hospital receives funding from a crowdfunding project called Thailand Solar Fund which composes of 15 networks and organisations. The project aims to install solar panels on hospital rooftops, support renewable energy in the country, reduce carbon emission and phase away from fossil fuel.

Greenpeace Thailand is part of Thailand Solar Fund coalition that installs solar cells at hospitals in Thailand. Greenpeace is calling on Energy Regulatory Commission of Thailand to issue a Net Metering measure to promote a residential solar rooftop system.

Romania: 31 January

Greenpeace Romania activists protest against air pollution in Bucharest in 4 critical places in the city that register some of the highest pollution rates: the energy sector, the construction sector, the waste sector (waste deposits) and traffic.
Greenpeace Romania activists protest against air pollution in Bucharest in 4 critical places in the city that register some of the highest pollution rates: the energy sector, the construction sector, the waste sector (waste deposits) and traffic.

Bulgaria: 7 February

Activists demand clean air, coal phase-out by 2030 and expose waste burning in coal power plants as a false alternative in front of the Bulgarian Parliament.
Activists demand clean air, coal phase-out by 2030 and expose waste burning in coal power plants as a false alternative in front of the Bulgarian Parliament.

Senegal : 11 February

Greenpeace Volunteers from Dakar (Senegal) asking for clean air now!

Air pollution from fossil fuels causes around 4.5 million deaths each year. So while we pay the price of air pollution with our health, fossil fuel companies are profiting.
Greenpeace Volunteers from Dakar (Senegal) asking for clean air now! Air pollution from fossil fuels causes around 4.5 million deaths each year. So while we pay the price of air pollution with our health, fossil fuel companies are profiting.
© Greenpeace
Greenpeace Volunteers from Dakar (Senegal) asking for clean air now!

Air pollution from fossil fuels causes around 4.5 million deaths each year. So while we pay the price of air pollution with our health, fossil fuel companies are profiting.
Greenpeace Volunteers from Dakar (Senegal) asking for clean air now! Air pollution from fossil fuels causes around 4.5 million deaths each year. So while we pay the price of air pollution with our health, fossil fuel companies are profiting.
© Greenpeace

South Africa: 16 February & 22 February

At least six Greenpeace Africa activists wearing superhero costumes leapt onto the SuperSport Park cricket field during the international T20 match between England and South Africa. Their mission was to hand the Proteas captain Quinton de Kock and his team an air pollution mask. While another team of activists dropped a banner from a floodlight in the stadium next to the scoreboard that read: “Toxic air is not just a game #BowlOutAirPollution,” highlighting the danger that air pollution poses, even to our sporting heroes.

This follows the release of a new study[1] by Greenpeace Southeast Asia and the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) on 12 February, which highlighted the global cost of air pollution from burning fossil fuels, including a shocking 13000 premature deaths in 2018 in South Africa alone.
In Johannesburg, 8 Volunteers attended a yoga session and a walk at Zoo Lake South Africa to highlight and Demand Clean.

India: 12 January & 16 February

People supporting Greenpeace India's campaign, Clean Air Nation, which promotes clean air and a healthy future for all, gather at Chennai's Marina beach.
Greenpeace India conducted the flash mob in New Delhi at Dilli Haat on 16th Feb to create public awareness on Air pollution, its sources, health impacts and solutions.
Greenpeace India conducted the flash mob in New Delhi at Dilli Haat on 16th Feb to create public awareness on Air pollution, its sources, health impacts and solutions.

Turkey: 16 February & 23 February

Air pollution leads to 8 million early deaths every year in the world. On 16 February, activists held a bicycle action to spread their message: “We want fresh air”.
Air pollution leads to 8 million early deaths every year in the world. On 16 February, activists held a bicycle action to spread their message: “We want fresh air”.
Activist holds a Clean Air Now placard in the street of Istanbul, Turkey.

Cameroon: 24 February

On 24 February, 2020, Activities were held in front of a multi-purpose stadium in Yaoundé, Cameroon and a landmark in Douala, Cameroon to amplify the message that air pollution is a public health crisis and demand the authorities to act on this crisis with urgency.
Activities were held in front of a multi-purpose stadium in Yaoundé, Cameroon and a landmark in Douala, Cameroon to amplify the message that air pollution is a public health crisis and demand the authorities to act on this crisis with urgency.

Indonesia: 23 February

Some Greenpeace volunteer holds sign at the Suralaya coal power plant  in Cilegon city, Banten Province, Indonesia.
A Greenpeace volunteer holds an art picture showing a man wearing a gas mask at Pasupati bridge during an air pollution campaign, in Bandung.
Greenpeace volunteers hold an art picture shows the Welcome statues hold message "Clean Air Please"  during an air pollution campaign  in Jakarta.

Kenya: 24-25 February

17 volunteers took to the streets in Kenya to demand their basic right to breathe clean air.
17 volunteers took to the streets in Kenya to demand their basic right to breathe clean air.

We’re calling on those responsible for the air pollution crisis to act. To stop the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and to phase out coal power stations.

Together, we’re going to end the air pollution crisis once and for all.

Sign the petition – Air pollution is a public health emergency with too many of us breathing toxic air. We can fix this by coming together, demanding action and holding polluters accountable.

Kate Ford is a part of Communications at Greenpeace International.