Himalayas to Big Apple: 'Air Bear' Roars for Cleaner Air Globally

In a heartwarming and attention-grabbing campaign to address the dire consequences of air pollution on children, a colossal white teddy bear known as Saathi, accompanied by 17-year-old child activist Anuska, has journeyed from Nepal to New York. Their mission: to call upon world leaders attending the Global Goals Summit to take decisive actions to safeguard the futures of the world's children.

Saathi, fondly dubbed the "Air Bear" in Nepal, embarked on a six-month journey alongside climate activists throughout Nepal. During this remarkable journey, the bear's once pristine white fur transformed into a somber shade of grey, serving as a poignant visual representation of the alarming impact of air pollution. Along the way, Saathi engaged with policymakers, entertainers, and schools to raise awareness about the devastating consequences of air pollution on children's health.

The duo will make their presence felt at the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Action Weekend in New York, where Anuska will passionately advocate for substantial progress by governments in advancing the globally agreed-upon goals, particularly the objective to protect the planet for both current and future generations.

According to the latest Air Quality Life Index from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, air pollution ranks as the most significant threat to human health in Nepal, causing a staggering reduction in life expectancy by an average of 4.6 years. Nepal currently stands as the third most polluted country globally, trailing only behind Bangladesh and India. Air pollution has been linked to a host of health issues, including respiratory diseases, heart problems, and even cognitive impairments in children.

Anuska voiced her concerns in the lead-up to the summit, stating, "Children are among the most vulnerable groups impacted by the climate crisis. We must address how climate change threatens the rights of children and the prospects of future generations. Our future is at stake due to climate change. My message at the SDG Summit underscores the importance of world leaders understanding the experiences of children when making decisions."

Ayush Joshi, Director for Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications, and Media (ACCM) at Save the Children in Nepal, emphasized the need for transformative changes, stating, "The post-COVID-19 era has seen setbacks in achieving many sustainable development targets. It is imperative that all stakeholders break away from 'business as usual' and commit to urgent transformative changes. This shift is vital to dismantle the structural and political barriers that have hindered progress towards realizing the ambitious agenda agreed upon by governments in 2015."

He further added, "We look forward to the SDG Summit embracing a renewed commitment to expediting progress toward the SDGs, especially through collaboration that prioritizes the well-being of children, with and for children."

The Air Bear initiative forms a part of Save the Children's 'Generation Hope' campaign, which seeks to raise awareness of the climate crisis's impact on the future, survival, education, and safety of children. Save the Children played an instrumental role in shaping the SDGs and the accompanying 2030 Agenda, recognizing children as agents of change. These goals, adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, aim to provide a shared blueprint for global peace and prosperity, both for people and the planet.