Recently the whole world realised its own redundancy in the wake of the COVID-19 onslaught. So many deaths occurred all across the world. But what today draws a bigger line is air pollution and climate change. Deaths due to air pollution have sadly been far more than the deaths due to COVID, so says Dr. Arvind a leading doctor from Medanta, New Delhi, who specialises in respiratory medicines and lung surgery. This menace has spared no one, neither the old nor the young, not even sparing those in the pre-natal stage. The causes aggravating this threat are not far to seek. They lie in the human zeal to constantly achieve higher economic growth, without considering its larger consequences. This zeal has led to uncontrolled industrial pollution, vehicular emission, fossil fuel based power generators, stubble burning, forest fire, defective urban architecture, inadequate solid waste management, shrinking green cover and many such critical factors which were recently discussed in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, the town finding its place in top 10 polluted cities of the country. Taking various leads during a conclave attended by experts from various fields, it not only deliberated upon these vital issues but set an actionable agenda that would bring down the pollution levels in the State. This agenda included micro level baby steps leading upto strategic interventions such as a ‘disaster response’ plan.
An interesting poll was conducted during the session. The participants were asked to participate in an online survey and were given ten action points to curate an action agenda roadmap. The top priorities put forth by 128 participants were:
1. Transport Systems: Ensure vehicular emission standards and cleaner fuels.
2. Industry: Enforce industrial emission standards and clean technologies.
3.Shift away from fossil fuels used for power generation.
4.Promote renewable energy and provide support to startups.
5.Agriculture and Forestry: Reduce stubble burning and prevent forest fires.
6.Civic society’s awareness and capacity building to tackle air pollution.
The problem is serious and emergent. One could survive for a weeks or probably a few days without other essentials but barely for a few minutes without air. Judged by new WHO standards, we have 10 times more pollutants in India of various grades. This majorly depends on our lifestyle. Indians already have 30% weaker lungs due to the polluted air they breathe. The issue of clean air, therefore, assumes as much, rather more, significance even over ‘Roti’, ‘Kapda’ and ‘Makan’. Whatever policies or laws the government may legislate; and it has already done so with respect to vehicles, construction, industrial emissions, green cover in the country, agro waste management and so on; it is amply clear that unless civic society makes it a movement, nothing much can be achieved. After all it is the power of civic society that has made smoking unacceptable in our drawing rooms or public places. The grim and astute narratives via advertisement have impacted our cognitions and perceptions but it has become possible only due to the inner drive coming from our society. Simply for the sake of an awakening call it is reiterated that 51% pollution is emitted by our industries, 27% by vehicles, 17% by crop burning and 5% by fireworks. We can no longer afford to ignore this stark threat looming over us.
Air pollution cannot be seen in isolation as ‘everything hangs together’. It effects the other core elements such as water, soil, temperature and the atmosphere as a whole. The ever rising temperature sets off a vicious cycle necessitating the use of air conditioning systems which in turn is leading to further increase in temperatures and pollution. The whole ecosystem is then getting affected in terms of the loss of micro-organisms, unpredictable weather, rising sea levels, attrition in water resources, melting glaciers and so on. Hence taking a holistic view, the whole world is now contemplating new and effective solutions. With rising population pressures, this impact is increasing. The constant pressure for growth is compelling the corporate sector to be expedient and use half-baked technologies which are financially lucrative providing partial solutions but actually end up accentuating environmental problems. One way is a detailed study of the experience based sagacity of our ancestors from a few centuries back who maintained a balanced approach in consonance with nature. Another would be to do an audit of our modern lifestyle and discover ways and means to reduce our carbon footprints. The latter entails first a survey and data collection, real time monitoring of the pollution levels and finding the cause and effect of the current technologies in vogue in order to properly zero down upon its very source. There is no doubt that only a source based mitigation in a decentralised manner holds the key to sustainability.
The surveys clearly indicate that life expectancy has actually reduced from 6-12 years at various places depending upon the intensity of pollution. The death toll too has gone up by 30% , solely due to air pollution, due to which as seven million people in this world die every year. Similarly, the public health has deteriorated, particularly amongst old people and children. Ailments such as obesity, asthma, heart problems and other related diseases have drastically gone up amongst them. Lack of proper oxygen has adverse multiple effects on the otherwise mutually supporting ecosystem. A weak link in the whole chain makes it vulnerable to accidental failures, anytime-anywhere.
The deliberations have been derived by the well documented presentations made by experts of Environment, Forest and Climate change department of Govt of UP, IIT Kanpur, Medanta, New Delhi, KGMU Lucknow, and organisations such as CAF & AQIL. The action points that initially emerged included – greening the habitat through plantations, developing green corners, resort to terrace gardening; encouraging walking & cycling, encouraging use of public transport, segregating waste at source and converting it to manure. Further discussions focused on reducing and recycling plastic waste, encouraging use of natural fibres and earthen materials for making sustainable products; sensitising children on various issues including shunning use of firecrackers. It eventually also emphasised on asserting as well as pursuing the government to implement laws that support environmental health, adopting available technology to minimise carbon footprint, saving electricity, adopting solar options, using electric vehicles and evolving innovative ways in collaboration with all stakeholders locally as well as globally.
Lesser developed countries have incongruence and inconsistency in their developmental cycle. But one needs to take action in a balanced and graduated manner with a positive mindset.
In order to unlearn and also relearn these harsh facts that are glaring at us, critical decision making for survival, we need to take a fresh look at some data. What we thought would happen in 50 years, has actually happened in 10 years only as the temperature of the planet has increased by 1.5C. Now if we don’t put a check it, then it will rise further by 2.0 to 4.0 C in barely 15 months, which is an alarming scenario. This is the harsh reality of our impending future. It is time now to realise that such would be the spiralling effect.
We as a country of 1.4 billion are reportedly already below the WHO standards. UP alone has 13 times higher pollution as per the neo norms. A citizen loses 10-12 years of life expectancy in Lucknow, which is barely a digit less than Delhi. The annual particulate pollution rate is 22%. Even this needs to be reduced drastically. NCAP is aiming to reduce it in aggregate by 30% before the year 2025.
We may interestingly take a look into the opportunity cost of Air Pollution at individual level focusing on supply of clean air or oxygen, taking a cue from cost of potable water now in terms of global business of bottled water that is estimated to be 349 billion US dollars. In case there arises the similar situation, given 80 years life span in a family of four, as per a worst scenario broad calculation, the cost of buying oxygen for life could go beyond 335 crore INR at prevalent prices. It may sound incredulous but critical to draw our attention to the impending emergent situation. Years back we could never assume that we would be spending money to buy drinking water to that extent.
We need to follow a carbon resilient and low carbon lifestyle and mainyain a sustainable health system. The greatest war is now on the anvil. Let us fight it well now that we understand that we have to fight it off ourselves. We don’t need to look for any further proof. When COVID-19 pushed humans to stay within closed houses during lockdown, nature recuperated and began to emerge as per its original glorious design. It is now the time to pronounce it loud and clear, ‘Facts 2 Act’. SHAPE UP: Solution for Health, Air pollution & Environment is the need of the hour; its now or never!!
Dr A.P. Maheshwari
PATRON, LUNG CARE FOUNDATION
Internal Security,Policing & Crisis Management Expert; Speaker & Author.
|Fmr IPS- |Adv to Lt Gov PY;DG CRPF; BPR&D; Spl Secy IS MHA;SDG BSF|
Mobile: 91-8800665866
