Social, Humanitarian & Cultural

Air quality refers to the condition of the air within an environment, particularly in terms of pollution and health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds safety standards.

Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere that negatively impact the environment, human health, and development. These harmful substances include gases, particles, biological agents, and others.

Unfortunately, poor air quality results from pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone. In recent years, the climate crisis and public health issues have made air quality a vital issue for international action. Although air pollution originates within countries, its effects are far-reaching and cross into neighboring territories, disrupting ecosystems and exacerbating climate change issues. While high-income nations have contributed significantly to global emissions, low- and middle-income countries often experience the most severe consequences, not equipped with the necessary resources to respond. This issue is not only environmental; it is also political, economic, and deals with moral implications. Nations must decide whether to prioritize growth or sustainability regarding protecting the vulnerable or shielding industry.

Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) are individuals who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, violence, environmental disasters, or other crises but remain within their country’s borders.

Unlike refugees, IDPs are not protected by international refugee laws, meaning they are forced to remain within their home country. This leaves them highly vulnerable to exploitation, inadequate shelter, and lack of basic services such as food and water. In 2024, over 71 million people were recorded as internally displaced, marking a high. This issue is largely driven by conflict, climate change, and natural disasters—disrupting the lives of more individuals. IDPs represent one of the largest yet least protected populations in the world today. These individuals lose access to education, healthcare, shelter, and legal recognition—fundamental services required for an adequate quality of life. Yet no binding international cooperation or framework is working to ensure their rights or protect their futures. This absence creates space for controversy.

Natural disasters are severe events caused by natural processes, like weather or geological activity, that can result in significant harm to human life, property, and the environment. The increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, especially with the impact of climate change, has exposed mistakes in global preparedness and response mechanisms. Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and pandemics are no longer isolated emergencies; they have grown in scale, affecting both developed and developing nations.

Global preparedness is defined and denoted by improving early warning systems and establishing international aid frameworks. The ability to prepare for and survive natural disasters are of the same importance but are not held in respect the same internationally. But preparedness is no longer just about emergency drills. The countries most devastated by disasters are often the least responsible for the global conditions that fuel them, and yet, disaster aid is often underfunded or misallocated.