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| A conceptual AI illustration representing air quality. |
Understanding "air" can be tricky, especially when you can't see it.
In school, I remember struggling to know what 'air' looked like! How could one only feel it if we can't touch it or see it, I wondered!
Air is more than just a feeling, like a cool breeze or foul odour.
Air quality is fundamental to healthy environments and ecosystems, and it directly impacts our well-being.
Poor air quality can be a matter of life and death. Air pollution, caused by substances like sulphur, nitrogen, and particulate matter, damages our lungs and the environment.
BENGALURU IS BETTER
Bengaluru generally has better air quality than many other major cities in India. For instance, as of today, Bengaluru's AQI was around 63 classified as satisfactory. In contrast, cities like Delhi are worse.
One reason could be that the city has a lot of parks and tree-lined streets which help absorb pollutants.
This website tracks live the air quality index as well other parameters like particulate matter -- https://www.aqi.in/in
BUT STILL MANY CHALLENGES
Things aren’t looking up, with so much construction and increased vehicle numbers.
This September 2024 report quoted a Greenpeace study to indicate that Bengaluru was among the cities where air quality had dipped significantly.
Globally too, Bengaluru isn’t doing good. It is ranked the 673rd most polluted city among the 7,812 cities assessed.
Cities like Tokyo, Singapore, and Zurich often have much better air quality due to stricter regulations and environmental policies.
WHAT CAN BE DONE
At the individual level and government level, a lot needs to be done.
Vehicle exhaust is among the main reasons for air pollution. So, as far as possible, let’s use public transport. I rarely take my car. I use the metro or the bus or an autorickshaw or just walk.
There is a lot of dust in the city. If the civic administration deploys mechanical sweepers to clean roads, that can reduce dust emissions significantly.
The 3Rs -- reduce, reuse and recycle -- is a good practice. I try my best to stick to the 3Rs rule.
To be fair to governments, they are doing a lot. For example, the electric vehicle policies have been made attractive enough and we can see more and more EVs on the roads.
Mere policies aren't enough. Parallelly, there has to be a stricter regulatory framework and enforcement to improve air quality. That's something not to the required extent.
While such governmental measures are important, individual efforts can't be underestimated since their cumulative effect adds up to make some difference.
Happy A to Z! You have a cool theme. And yes, public transport is a great thing. I don't really get why anyone uses their car for a daily commute in a city with good public transport and not many parking spaces...
ReplyDeleteThe Multicolored Diary
Hi A Tarkabarka Hölgy - Thank you. Yes, good public transport system can help a lot.
DeleteYes, Bengaluru is greener than most cities. That should be an important factor. Good to see that Chennai is closer to BLR on AQI too.
ReplyDeleteHi Rajesh - Though here we feel BLR is bad, it's so bad in comparison to many other bigger cities.
DeleteIn USA, at least in California, to renew your car registration, you have to get a smog certificate from a licensed shop. I do not know if such thing is in India.
ReplyDeleteHere, vehicle owners must annually obtain an emission certificate from a government-accredited testing centre. Police randomly check for this. Of course, at the registration or buying or selling time too this is checked.
DeleteWhen I think about air quality, I think about how far I can see off in the distance. Can I see the local mountains? Air quality good. If not, then there's too much particulates in the air.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good yardstick!
DeleteAs a child I never understood what air was this unseen, unfelt thing we need to stay alive, I also couldn't understand that places had bad air, living in Australia that's not a big thing except at times in big cities like Sydney or Melbourne but not here in Newcastle were I live.
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteAs an Asthmatic, Air holds great importance to me! That is one thing that (other than the major cities) Scotland has an Abundance of... pristine Air... YAM xx
Air quality is very important, and India has a long way to go yet. Western countries have done most of their air polluting and will now lecture other countries about air pollution. Perhaps the west should put its money where its mouth is and help.
ReplyDeleteI apologize for not checking in sooner. Your choice of subject is very, very interesting. I've worked my way back to the beginning and just want to wish you all the best.
ReplyDeleteThe detailed information you provide is both fascinating and impressive. Happy A to Z!
ReplyDelete