Why does this teenager living in one of the most polluted and health hazard environments feel like screaming.........

Air is the most universal and free life-giving resource provided to humankind by nature. Its crucial requirement for the very existence of life cannot be undermined, nor must it be questioned that it must be pristine and pollution free for life to thrive healthily. Unfortunately, with the need for more comfort and luxury by people, unscrupulous infrastructure development, cutting down of forests, and excessive use of plastic, air pollution is one of the most serious environmental issues in the world today. Consequently, exposure to polluted air causes millions of deaths and causes the loss of years of healthy life annually. It exacts a massive toll on health and well-being worldwide. Air pollution is now recognized as the most significant environmental threat to human health.

According to the World Health Organization report air pollution kills 13 people every minute due to lung cancer, heart disease, and strokes. Each year nearly 7 million people die globally from exposure to air pollution. 9 out of 10 humans currently breathe air that exceeds the WHO’s guideline limits for pollutants, with people in low-income and middle-income countries suffering the most. As per United Nations Environment Program, children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. One of their studies has shown that 6.5 million premature deaths in the UK were linked to ambient air pollution. The burden of disease attributed to air pollution is now estimated to be at par with other severe global health risks such as diabetes and cancer. 

In addition to health impacts, air pollution also has far-reaching environmental consequences. It poses a significant threat to global climate and contributes to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere and leading to global warming. The World Weather research across countries has shown that the Air Quality Index in major capital cities in every continent has air pollution levels in the dangerous zones. Delhi is considered among the most polluted cities in India, confirmed by the Observer Research Foundation’s Report. Air pollution also damages ecosystems and reduces crop yields, leading to food shortages and economic losses. Additionally, it kills flora and fauna, displaces animal populations, and seriously impacts animal migratory patterns. 

The question then arises, do we understand what air pollution is, and how do we tackle it to benefit all living species? Scientifically, air pollution is defined as toxic chemicals or compounds in the air, including those of a biological origin. Air pollutants can take many forms. They can be in the form of gases, particles, or biological molecules. The contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical, or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere also comes under the purview of air pollution.

Air pollution causes have been categorized into two main types: natural and human-made. Natural causes include wildfires, dust storms, and volcanic eruptions. These events release large amounts of particulate matter and gases into the air, negatively impacting human health and the environment. However, human-made causes of air pollution are the most significant contributors to the problem. 

Human-made sources of air pollution include transportation, power generation, industrial activities, and household activities such as cooking and heating. Within this, essential household products like perfumes, floor, and toilet cleaning agents, low-quality paints, faulty garbage disposal methods, and discarding technological equipment in an unscientific manner all have a role to play too. On a larger scale, pesticides, chemicals used in poultry and farm animal breeding, untreated garbage disposal in dump sites, and unrestricted infrastructure development cause high air pollution.

Air pollution in the present age is not restricted to a particular geographic zone. It has permeated all continents, and due to the transient nature of air, any activity in one geographical area can have lasting ill effects in other geographic regions over time. The CO2 emissions from flights, burning of post-harvest stubble in fields, use of adulterated fuel in transportation, industries not following pollution norms, etc., are all human-generated activities that impact the air quality index worldwide.

Considering the severe impact of air pollution and an imminent global disaster in the making if it goes unchecked, this global challenge calls for an immediate and collaborative response with the cooperation of various governments, environmental NGOs, and civil society organizations. It must be addressed through the legal, social, sociological, psychological, ethical, and collective responsibility paradigms. The combined efforts from governments, individuals, businesses, philanthropic entities, and the judiciary will be the only way to reduce emissions, daily household practices, agricultural and forestry rules, waste disposal laws, and building norms. By working together, societies, countries, and all stakeholders create a cleaner and healthier future for us and future generations. Yet it requires a conscientious approach, a long-term outlook, tough decisions, and a collective effort.