Wazzup Pilipinas
A recent report by IQAir has revealed a startling reality: 19 of the world's 20 most polluted cities in 2024 were located in Asia, with India accounting for the majority. This underscores the pressing environmental and health challenges faced by the region.
India's Predicament: Cities Under Siege by Pollution
Among the most affected is Byrnihat, an industrial town in northeast India, which recorded a PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 µg/m³, over 25 times the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended limit. Residents attribute this to factors such as factories, construction, and deforestation. The capital city, New Delhi, was named the world's most polluted capital for the sixth consecutive year. Despite these alarming figures, India's national PM2.5 levels saw a 7% reduction in 2024, leading to a drop in its global pollution ranking from third to fifth place.
However, air pollution remains a significant health concern, reducing life expectancy by an estimated 5.2 years.
Health Implications: The Silent Crisis
The health ramifications are profound. Long-term exposure to polluted air can lead to serious health issues, such as respiratory illnesses, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer.
In India, the surge in respiratory and cardiovascular conditions has prompted insurers to consider a 10% to 15% increase in health insurance premiums for New Delhi residents. If approved, this would mark the first time air pollution is used as a determining factor for health insurance premiums in India, potentially setting a precedent for other cities.
Global Perspective: A Widespread Challenge
The issue isn't confined to India. Countries like Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo also rank among the most polluted, with PM2.5 levels up to 18 times higher than WHO guidelines. Alarmingly, only seven countries worldwide, including Australia, New Zealand, and Estonia, met the WHO's air quality standards in 2024.
Economic Growth vs. Environmental Health: The Balancing Act
India's rapid economic growth, largely fueled by coal, presents a dichotomy between industrial advancement and environmental sustainability. The fashion and textile industry, for instance, aims to triple its value to $350 billion by 2030, creating millions of jobs. However, this growth must align with stringent global and domestic sustainability goals. The sector faces pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with regulations such as the UN Fashion Charter for Climate Change banning coal boiler use by 2030. India's reliance on coal poses a challenge but is balanced by a rapid increase in renewable energy use, particularly solar. Factories are being incentivized to adopt rooftop solar and biomass boilers using agricultural waste.
Policy and Community Action: The Road Ahead
Addressing this crisis requires a multifaceted approach. The IQAir report emphasizes the need for increased awareness, policy decisions, and community action to reduce air pollution. Governments are urged to fund renewable energy projects and strengthen emission limits for vehicles and industrial activities. Notably, only 17% of the 8,954 cities analyzed globally met WHO pollution guidelines, highlighting the urgency for comprehensive interventions.
In conclusion, the dominance of Asian cities, particularly in India, on the list of the world's most polluted underscores the critical need for sustainable development strategies. Balancing economic growth with environmental preservation is imperative to safeguard public health and ensure a viable future for the region.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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