Air pollution could shorten Indians' lives by nine years: report

Air pollution in India.

Friday, 3rd September 2021

As the world struggles to cope with the threats of climate change and global warming, a report from the Air Quality of Life Index (AQLI) is raising the alarm for India. The US research team stated in a study that air pollution can shorten the life expectancy of about 40% of Indians by more than 9 years.

Hazardous pollution trends will affect 480 million people living in central, eastern, and northern India (including New Delhi). A report prepared by the Energy Policy Institute (EPIC) at the University of Chicago stated that "It is shocking that India's high levels of air pollution have expanded geographically over time."

However, the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) goal is to increase the overall life expectancy of the country by 1.7 years and the overall life expectancy of New Delhi by 3.1 years. The report praised the plan, noting that NCAP's goal is to reduce pollution in 102 of the worst-hit cities by 2030 by ensuring pollution reduction by 2024. Industrial emissions and car exhaust introduce stringent fuel regulations. transportation and biomass combustion, and reduce dust pollution. This also means a better monitoring system.

According to the report, under current air pollution levels, global citizens will lose an average of 2.2 years of life. If appropriate measures are not taken, 17 billion years will be lost in the process. The report pointed out that air pollution is more dangerous and life-threatening than smoking, car accidents, or HIV/AIDS.

The report also emphasized that if measures are taken to address air pollution, the life expectancy of Indians can be extended by 5.9 years, while reducing life expectancy will increase by 5.4 years in Bangladesh and Nepal and 3.9 years in Pakistan.

The country's heavy dependence on fossil fuels such as coal to produce energy is the main driving factor for increased emissions and pollution.

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The study closely follows the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, which identified emissions and human activities as the main drivers of climate change and global warming. The report warns that as environmental changes continue, the frequency of extreme events will increase in the next few years.

A report by Greenpeace India has previously painted a grim picture, that is, although the continuous closure of Covid19 has reduced emissions from traffic, India still faces the brunt of air pollution in several states. Among the eight state capitals, Delhi has the worst breathable air. Compared with the corresponding month in 2020, the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in April 2021 increased significantly by 125%.

Although researchers have considered climate change, right? If the situation is more serious, pollution will increase by 146% by 2020.

The News Talkie Bureau

Source:

Indiatoday