You often can't see it, but air pollution is everywhere. With every breath, you're probably breathing in tiny particles that attack your lungs, heart and brain. World Environment Day 2019 is a call to action to combat the global air pollution crisis.

The theme of World Environment Day 2019, chosen by China, this year's host, invites us to consider what changes we can make in our daily lives to reduce air pollution and curb its impact on our health and global warming.

We face an urgent task. Nine out of ten people worldwide are exposed to levels of air pollution that exceed the safety standards dictated by the World Health Organization. Approximately 7 million people worldwide die prematurely each year as a result of this problem, with around 4 million of those deaths occurring in the Asia-Pacific region.

Air pollution causes a range of diseases and is linked to reduced IQ. And in addition to harming human health, it also affects economic growth and accelerates global warming.