September 7 is marked as the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies. First introduced by the United Nations in 2019, the day is celebrated in order to create awareness on clean air for human health and the environment. Air pollution has, over the time, grown to be a concern all over the world, and India is no exception. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and population increase are triggering severe air quality issues in India, affecting the public health in general and the economic development of the whole country.
Overview of Air Pollution in India
India contains some of the most polluted cities in the world, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. According to a report provided by IQAir in 2021, 35 of the 50 most polluted cities in the world belonged to India. It results in serious consequences for the country, as it is responsible for approximately 1.67 million deaths annually due to COPD, asthma, lung cancer, and cardiovascular problems. According to WHO estimates, air pollution is responsible for around 7 million deaths of people prematurely in the world each year, and a sizeable proportion of such deaths occur in India.
The major contributors to air pollution in India are from vehicle emissions, industrial emissions, crop burning, construction dust, and the burning of fossil fuel. It is also a common sight to agricultural stubble burning in northern states like Punjab and Haryana, which again contributes to the high amount of particulate matter in the air, more so during winter months, and thus aggravates the problem of air quality in cities like Delhi.
Health and Economic Impact
Air pollution in India has very far-reaching impacts on the health of its public. Research by the Health Effects Institute notes that long-term air pollution exposure can result in respiratory problems, heart diseases, and even cancerous conditions. More vulnerable groups include children, the elderly, and people who face other pre-existing health problems.
Another cause for concern is the economic cost related to poor air quality. According to the World Bank, air pollution costs India roughly 8.5% of its GDP in the form of healthcare expenditure and loss of productivity caused by ill health. The report further added that improvement in air quality can, in turn, help improve the economic performance of the country since it would result in a decrease in health-related expenditure and an increase in productivity.
Government Initiatives and Policy Measures
In fact, the Indian government itself, driven by this raising air quality crisis, has launched a number of initiatives towards improving the air quality across the country. The National Clean Air Programme, launched in 2019, lays out an action program for reduction in air pollution levels by 20-30% in over 100 cities by 2024. It has taken into consideration air quality monitoring, reduction of vehicular emissions, management of industrial pollution, and promotion of cleaner energies.
NCAP aims at increasing air quality monitoring stations in the country. In fact, such monitoring stations measure very small particles generally known as PM2.5 and PM10, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. Due to real-time data availability from these stations, the authorities can develop effective mitigation strategies by understanding the level of pollution.
Beyond that, India is promoting electric transport to cut down the emission from the transport sector, contributing a lot to the pollution of urban air. The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles Scheme was launched in 2015 and offers incentives on the purchase of EVs. The government wants 30 percent of the vehicles to run on electricity by 2030.
The changeover to cleaner sources of energy is another important step in the fight against air pollution in India. The country has targeted getting 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Projects of solar and wind powers are fast being scaled up to cut down on coal, which is richly polluting.
Local Efforts and Community Involvement
The local initiatives and the contribution of the people are not less important in this matter. In the case of Delhi, the dissemination of awareness among the people about the effects of air pollution seriously affected their lives, initiated several public awareness programs. The “Odd-Even” scheme, whereby the plying of private vehicles is restricted on alternate days depending upon the registration number, has been very helpful in decreasing traffic congestion in Delhi and lowered the level of vehicular emission in Delhi.
Scores of NGOs and community groups operate at the grassroots levels to create awareness on planting trees, reducing plastic waste, and depending on public transport rather than relying on individual modes. Even schools and other educational institutions have been roped in to spread awareness among their students about air quality and the need to live sustainably.
The Role of Technology and Innovation
Technology now plays a critical role in the Indian government’s efforts to further improve air quality. For instance, real-time air quality monitoring apps provide their citizens with current information on pollution levels and health advisories. The use of such tools allows them to make more informed decisions about outdoor activities, especially at times when pollution is high.
Innovation in clean energy technologies is also helping India reduce its carbon footprint. Solar energy, wind power, and other renewable energies are on the rise through various projects both the government and the private sector have initiated to move away from dependence on fossil fuels. Other measures include increased uses of biofuels, cleaner industrial processes, and energy-efficient appliances that further help improve the air quality of the country.
Global Cooperation and Commitment of India
Air pollution is not only a problem confined to local or national boundaries; it has become a global problem. India has accepted the challenge of cooperation on this issue with other nations through various international agreements, including the Paris Agreement. More recently, India has collaborated with the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Bank, and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition in a bid for further knowledge and resource sharing in addressing air pollution.
During the COP26 Summit in 2021, India’s commitment to improvement in air quality was manifested through the pledge to attain net-zero carbon emission by 2070. Although ambitious, this target connotes the recognition by India of the need for long-term strategies to handle the interrelated problems of air pollution and climate change.
Conclusion
International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, which falls on September 7, is a good reminder that India needs to double its efforts in the battle against air pollution. A lot has been done in policy, technology, and awareness among people of the need to have better air quality, but the task ahead still remains formidable. The air pollution keeps impending over the health and well-being of millions of Indians, along with economic growth.
These, therefore, necessitate concerted efforts not only on the part of the government but also industries, communities, and individuals as a whole. By embracing cleaner sources of energy, supporting technological innovation, and fortifying policies, India can get quite far in reducing air pollution and improving the quality of life for its citizens.
Sources
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), India
Credits: Contents are from UNEP, WHO, and Indian government reports on air quality.