On this World Environment Day, the call for clean air has never been more urgent. Air quality is not just an environmental concern. It is a public health priority, a matter of equity, and a cornerstone of climate resilience. In a timely new article, UNDP Resident Representative Ugo Blanco and PAHO/WHO Representative Dr. Gabriel Vivas Francesconi highlight how Trinidad and Tobago is addressing the growing challenges of air pollution and climate change.

As a country with a long-standing industrial base and energy-driven economy, Trinidad and Tobago faces unique emissions challenges. Yet it is also demonstrating strong leadership in the region by advancing bold climate action. With over US$21 million in climate-related grant funding, national and international partners are supporting renewable energy, smart cooling systems, electric mobility, and municipal climate strategies. These efforts are backed by close collaboration with the United Nations system and a growing commitment to public education and data transparency.

The article emphasizes that clean air is a human right and a shared responsibility. As Trinidad and Tobago prepares its next Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, air quality must remain central to its climate agenda. Today, on World Environment Day, we are reminded that every breath counts and that a healthier, more resilient future is within reach.

👉 [Read the full article here- https://trinidadexpress.com/opinion/columnists/breathing-uneasy/article_69cbbd0c-b441-4ab5-a338-33f461766ed9.html or https://newsday.co.tt/2025/06/05/air-quality-and-climate-crossroads-in-trinidad-and-tobago/]