Dimple Singh Manhas
As the world grapples with an array of environmental challenges, air pollution has emerged as a silent yet deadly crisis that knows no borders. From the bustling metropolises of New Delhi and Beijing to the quiet countryside of California, polluted air is choking cities, harming health, and shortening lives. This crisis is not confined by geography or socio-economic status; it affects everyone, indiscriminately, making it one of the most pressing global health emergencies of our time.
According to IQAir’s World Air Quality Report 2024, India is the third most polluted country in the world. New Delhi is the most polluted capital city in the world.
THE UNSEEN KILLER
Air pollution is often called the “invisible killer” for a reason. Unlike other visible environmental threats, such as deforestation or plastic waste, the particles that pollute the air are microscopic but deadly. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ground-level ozone are some of the primary pollutants that linger in the air we breathe every day. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for approximately 7 million premature deaths each year, making it one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide.
The health implications are severe: respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and lung cancer are all directly linked to prolonged exposure to polluted air. Vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions are especially at risk. Air pollution is also closely linked to adverse birth outcomes, cognitive impairments, and mental health issues, underscoring its pervasive impact on human well-being.
A GLOBAL TRANSBOUNDARY ISSUE
Air pollution does not respect national borders. The pollutants released into the atmosphere in one country can easily drift across regions, affecting air quality far beyond the source. For instance, the smoke from wildfires in the United States has been detected as far away as Europe, and the industrial emissions from Southeast Asia impact the entire region’s air quality. This transboundary nature makes air pollution a global problem, requiring coordinated international efforts rather than isolated, localized solutions.
In South Asia, the phenomenon of seasonal smog illustrates this issue vividly. During the winter months, a thick haze of pollution blankets parts of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, driven by agricultural burning, vehicular emissions, and industrial activities. The resulting poor air quality has serious implications, not just for human health but also for economic productivity, as it reduces labor efficiency and leads to increased healthcare costs.
THE ECONOMIC & ENVIRONMENT COSTS
The economic impact of air pollution is staggering. A recent study by the World Bank estimated that the global cost of air pollution-related health issues amounts to trillions of dollars each year, accounting for lost labor, healthcare expenses, and reduced agricultural yields. Additionally, air pollution exacerbates climate change, as many air pollutants, such as black carbon, also act as greenhouse gases, trapping heat in the atmosphere and contributing to global warming.
The environmental toll is equally severe. Air pollution damages ecosystems, contaminates water bodies, and harms wildlife. Acid rain, caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the air, degrades forests, soils, and freshwater habitats. Moreover, air pollutants settle on plant surfaces, reducing photosynthesis and hindering plant growth, which disrupts entire ecosystems.
URGENT NEED FOR ACTION
Given the scale and severity of this crisis, it is imperative that governments, industries, and individuals take urgent, coordinated action to reduce air pollution. The following measures are critical:
Strengthening Regulations:
Governments must enforce stricter air quality standards and regulations on industries and vehicles. This includes transitioning to cleaner fuels, phasing out coal-powered plants, and adopting stricter emission norms for vehicles.
Promoting Clean Energy:
Investing in renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydropower is vital to reducing reliance on fossil fuels, which are a significant source of air pollution.
Improving Public Transportation:
Expanding and improving public transportation can reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, thereby lowering emissions. Encouraging the use of electric vehicles (EVs) and providing subsidies for EV purchases can also contribute significantly to reducing air pollution.
Raising Public Awareness:
Individuals can play a role by making lifestyle changes, such as reducing car use, conserving energy, and supporting policies and practices that prioritize clean air. Public awareness campaigns are essential to educate people about the health risks of air pollution and the steps they can take to mitigate its impact.
International Cooperation:
Countries must work together through frameworks like the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution to implement strategies that reduce emissions on a global scale.
How Can We Control Air Pollution?
Prevention:
Adopt pollution prevention approaches to reduce, eliminate, or prevent pollution at its source.
Examples are to use less toxic raw materials or fuels, use a less-polluting industrial process, and to improve the efficiency of the process. E.g., BSVI engine.
Adoption of Clean Air Technology:
Air pollution prevention and control technologies can help in controlling air pollution.
It includes wet scrubbers, fabric filters (baghouses), electrostatic precipitators, condensers, absorbers, adsorbers, and biological degradation.
Economic Incentives:
Economic incentives such as emissions trading and emissions caps can be used for polluting industries.
Scrapping Old Vehicles:
Scrapping of the current End-of-life vehicles (ELVs) burden of the country will lead to 15-20% reduction in emissions due to vehicular pollution.
Work-from-Home:
To combat air pollution, the government may promote work-from-home policies during high pollution days like winters.
Artificial Rain:
It can wash away pollutants that are suspended in the air, such as particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulphur dioxide (SO2).
Behavioural Change:
Promoting the use of public transportation, walking, and cycling can reduce the number of individual vehicles on the road, leading to lower emissions and lower air pollution.
A Breath of Fresh Air: The Way Forward
Air pollution is a crisis that demands immediate attention. It is a public health emergency, an economic burden, and an environmental disaster rolled into one. The solution requires a multi-pronged approach, combining policy reforms, technological innovation, and behavioral change. While the task ahead is daunting, the benefits of reducing air pollution are immense: healthier populations, a more robust economy, and a more sustainable environment for future generations.
The fight against air pollution is not just a matter of policy but a moral imperative. Every individual has the right to breathe clean air. It is time for governments and citizens alike to take bold and decisive action to ensure that this fundamental right is protected. The air we share connects us all, and in tackling this crisis together, we can create a healthier, cleaner, and more equitable world for everyone.
The time for action is now. We cannot afford to ignore the ticking clock of this silent crisis. With collective willpower and coordinated efforts, we can work towards a future where clean air is not a luxury but a fundamental right for all. It is our shared responsibility to ensure that no one is left gasping for breath in a world increasingly choked by pollution.
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