Air Pollution Crisis
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Environment
Source: IE
Context: Delhi’s persistent air pollution crisis has highlighted the severe impact of air pollution on public health, the environment, and socio-economic conditions, emphasizing the urgency for collective measures to mitigate this issue.
What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution refers to the contamination of the atmosphere by harmful substances, such as gases, particulates, and biological molecules, which pose risks to human health, ecosystems, and climate stability.
Categorization of Pollution:
• Primary Pollutants: Emitted directly into the air (e.g., carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide).
• Secondary Pollutants: Formed through chemical reactions in the atmosphere (e.g., smog, ground-level ozone).
Sources of Air Pollution:
• Industrial Emissions: Burning fossil fuels for energy and manufacturing processes.
• Vehicle Emissions: Exhaust from automobiles contributes to urban air pollution.
• Domestic Combustion: Burning wood, coal, or biomass for cooking and heating.
• Agricultural Practices: Stubble burning and fertilizer use release harmful chemicals.
• Natural Sources: Dust storms, forest fires, and volcanic eruptions.
Impacts of Air Pollution:
• Health: Respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis). Cardiovascular issues and reduced life expectancy. Cognitive impairments, especially in children.
• Respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis).
• Cardiovascular issues and reduced life expectancy.
• Cognitive impairments, especially in children.
• Environment: Damage to ecosystems and biodiversity. Acid rain affecting soil and water quality. Contribution to climate change through greenhouse gases.
• Damage to ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Acid rain affecting soil and water quality.
• Contribution to climate change through greenhouse gases.
• Economy: Increased healthcare costs. Reduced agricultural productivity. Property and infrastructure damage.
• Increased healthcare costs.
• Reduced agricultural productivity.
• Property and infrastructure damage.
Government Measures:
• Legislative Steps: National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Targets reducing air pollution by 20-30% by 2024. Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate: Mandatory for vehicles.
• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Targets reducing air pollution by 20-30% by 2024.
• Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate: Mandatory for vehicles.
• Technological Interventions: Adoption of CNG for public transport in Delhi. Encouragement of electric vehicles and renewable energy sources.
• Adoption of CNG for public transport in Delhi.
• Encouragement of electric vehicles and renewable energy sources.
• Awareness Campaigns: Promoting individual actions like tree plantation and reduced vehicle usage.
• Promoting individual actions like tree plantation and reduced vehicle usage.
• Infrastructure Development: Installation of air quality monitoring systems. Development of green belts in urban areas.
• Installation of air quality monitoring systems.
• Development of green belts in urban areas.
Role of Multinational Cooperation:
• Shared Solutions: Transboundary pollution necessitates collaborative efforts among South Asian nations.
• Technology Sharing: Exchange of air pollution mitigation technologies.
• Policy Coordination: Joint regulations to control industrial and vehicular emissions.
• Global Initiatives: Participation in frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Climate Action Plans.
Way Ahead:
• Stronger Implementation: Enforcing stricter regulations and penalties for non-compliance.
• Public Participation: Encouraging citizen-driven initiatives like carpooling and waste composting.
• Sustainable Practices: Promoting renewable energy and efficient waste management systems.
• Regional Collaboration: Developing joint air quality management plans with neighboring countries.
Conclusion:
Addressing air pollution demands a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach involving government policies, technological innovation, and global cooperation. Only through concerted efforts can we ensure clean air and a sustainable future.
Insta Links:
• Online-schooling-due-to-air-pollution
• Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve revised standards? (UPSC-2021)