Clear skies … for how long?

The imperative of reducing air pollution in a post-COVID world


COVID-19 has changed our way of being, probably forever.
While stories of human suffering, economic losses, social distancing, and uncertain lockdown periods are creating insecurities and fear in people, there are also a few silver linings that are shining through. Steep decline in air pollution, resulting in an improved air quality which has not been experienced for years, is one definite outcome of the dreaded pandemic. Due to a complete lockdown across most of the nation, barring essential services, there was a shutdown of industries in a big way and most of the public as well as private vehicles were off the road since 24th March. Thermal power stations, a major source of pollution (and greenhouse gas emitters) have also been running at lower capacity since electricity demand has dropped.

Too little, too late: Why poll promises to cut air pollution are not enough

The BJP's promise of turning NCAP into a 'mission', which means institutionalising it better and increasing accountability at the Centre, is not enough because the NCAP has several limitationsFor the first time, air pollution--the seventh-largest risk factor for death in India, killing 1.24 million people in 2017--finds a mention in party manifestos in the 2019 general election of the world’s largest democracy, home to 14 of the planet’s 20 most polluted cities.

--Business Standard, 25/04/2019

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