Earth’s Call To Action: Supporting Nature For A Sustainable Future

From odd-even schemes and cracker bans to restrictions on diesel cars, these measures have become common during winters and post-Diwali to combat pollution.

In 2016, Delhi faced a Severe Air Pollution Episode (SAPE), known as the ‘Great Delhi Smog,’ with the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 500. This alarming situation led to a surge in asthma cases and exposed non-smokers to pollution levels equivalent to smoking more than 10 cigarettes daily. It prompted the government to introduce the odd-even scheme for the first time to control pollution.

From November to January, Delhi/NCR areas often turn into “gas chambers” due to intense air pollution. To help reduce this, numerous businesses have emerged, promoting sustainable Diwali celebrations and eco-friendly practices. For example, Phool is a company that repurposes dried flowers to create biodegradable products, contributing to environmental conservation.

Government initiatives
To foster a clean and green environment, governments have implemented clean energy transitions, including feed-in tariffs, tax incentives, subsidies, green bonds, and renewable energy certificates. These measures incentivize investment and promote the adoption of sustainable energy sources. It has also announced subsidies on electric vehicles, solar plants, hybrid cars and more.

The Indian Government has also developed waste management systems in multiple areas so they can discard biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste properly, allowing it to be recycled, composted, or safely disposed of to reduce environmental impact.

Sustainable Business
Phool is making an impact by reducing waste through the repurposing of temple flowers that would otherwise be discarded in rivers, inspiring many other startups to give back to nature in various ways. Several innovative companies in India are driving sustainable solutions across industries, including Ather Energy, Zypp Electric, and BluSmart, which are revolutionizing clean transportation, while Nexus Power pioneers eco-friendly batteries. Waste Venture India focuses on effective waste management, and Banyan Nation excels in recycling initiatives. Beco offers eco-friendly household products, and in agriculture and food, Just Organik promotes organic farming, Wakao Foods provides plant-based alternatives, and GoodDot offers affordable meat substitutes. The Bombay Hemp Company explores sustainable uses for hemp, while Boss Lady Cosmetics creates cruelty-free beauty products. Additionally, ZunRoof enhances energy efficiency through solar solutions, and Yulu’s electric scooters help reduce urban pollution. Together, these companies represent India’s growing commitment to a greener future.

Community Involvement
Schools and communities have also come together to fight air pollution, as many children have developed asthma due to the environmental conditions. Some children are born with asthma due to their mothers being exposed to pollution during pregnancy. Schools have organised students to hold posters with slogans like ” Say No to firecrackers & Yes to Happiness,” encouraging them to take a pledge not to burn crackers, which contribute significantly to pollution.

Avoiding lights to save electricity is another way individuals are doing their part. Many are opting for earthen lamps and using green crackers to celebrate sustainably.

Health Risk
After Covid-19, Air pollution has become a deadly risk for life, as every organ in the body can be impacted by air pollution. Due to their small size, some air pollutants are able to penetrate into the bloodstream via the lungs and circulate throughout the entire body leading to systemic inflammation and carcinogenicity. The specific disease outcomes most strongly linked with exposure to air pollution include stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, pneumonia, and cataract (household air pollution only).

Technological Solutions
The rise in air pollution has opened up opportunities for innovation in creating room air purifiers, leading to a peak in sales during this time. For people who can’t afford these fancy gadgets to breathe clean air, they often turn to plants like mother-in-law’s tongue, paan, and others to improve indoor air quality.

This is the time when our Earth needs our support so it can nurture more lives.

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