Pollution in India higher than China: Greenpeace

[INDIAPOSITIVE]

Pollution in India higher than China: Greenpeace
India overtook China's air pollution levels in 2015 and the average particulate matter exposure was higher for the first time in the 21st century, a Greenpeace analysis of NASA satellite data has shown.

IndiaToday.in
New Delhi, February 22, 2016 | Posted by Avarnita Mathur | UPDATED 19:40 IST
Narendra Modiat the Paris Climate Conference focused on the issue of carbon emissions.

Measures like odd-even plan and car-free day have already been implemented by the government to reduce the pollution level.

Greenpeace, in its National Air Quality Index (NAQI) ranking report, had earlier said that as many as 15 out of 17 Indian cities with NAQI stations showed levels of air pollution that far exceeded the prescribed Indian standards.

The NGO said India's NAQI network with 39 operating stations also compares poorly with the 1,500 stations in China.

"The satellite images until 2005 showed India's pollution, while serious, was lot lower than eastern China's.

In 2015, India particulate pollution stands higher than that of China, after increasing at an average rate of 2 per cent over the past decade," it said.

"The air pollution crisis is an opportunity to test India's emergency response plan and design coordinated action for a 'Clean Air Nation'," said Sunil Dahiya, Campaigner, Greenpeace India.

Greenpeace also stressed on India to lay down a focused and time bound action plan to mitigate air pollution crisis.


Pollution in India higher than China: Greenpeace : India, News - India Today

 

[acetophenol]

>Inadequate public transport-Public buses/trains doesn't even offer a fraction of comfort offered by private vehicles, in some cases public transport doesn't offer much cost advantage either

>Ineffective laws- Though powerful laws do exist, they are limited to paper. In most cases, the Government Orgs are the principle contributors to pollution (running antique vehicles).

>Booming economy- Though this is not a direct cause, the lack of other factors has made this into a negative. As the economy grows, more and more can afford vehicles which add to the pollution

>Lack of Infrastructure- Pedestrian/cyclist unfriendly roads, lack of pollution monitoring & controlling, waste disposal mechanisms

On the other hand, the reasons for a smile are:

-Increased awareness- More and more are becoming aware and conscious about the environment issues, especially the younger generations, though proper guidance is still needed

-Better corporate participation- The participation of Indian corporates in environment protection and pollution control (as part of CSR) has been improving over the years.