Should India Declare Climate Emergency?

    • Indiatimes
    • Publish Date: May 16 2019 6:39PM
    • |
    • Updated Date: May 16 2019 6:39PM
Should India Declare Climate Emergency?

If not now, then when? Many concerned citizens of several countries around the world are asking this question, urging their governments to seriously take measures to save environment.

Some countries are gradually waking up

Mexico City has declared an environmental emergency as smokes from nearby wildfires broke pollution to levels that were deemed harmful for human health. Eventually, it became the third place to do so.

Authorities of one of the most populous metropolises advised residents to avoid outdoor activities and exercise and remain indoors with windows and doors shut. Elderly, sick and infants have been particularly advised to stay indoors.

Last week, Ireland declared climate emergency and called on the parliament, “To examine how [the Irish government] can improve its response to the issue of biodiversity loss.”

On May 1, Britain’s parliament passed the largely symbolic motion and became the first in the world to declare a climate emergency. The step came after 11 days of continuous street protests in London by the Extinction Rebellion environmental campaign group.

Activists around the world have upped pressure on global bodies and policymakers to ensure effective measures are taken to tackle climate change.

A wake up call for India?

In 2017, more than 1.2 million people in India died an early death due to air pollution and still, it did not budge the Centre towards taking effective measures to tackle the emergency that is toxic air. Of the 1.2 million, who died from air pollution-related causes, 51.4 per cent were younger than 70 years old.

In total, over three quarters of India’s population is exposed to air pollution that is higher than the limit set by country’s government. That level, in turn, is four times the maximum recommended by the World Health Organisation. Sadly, no Indian states has pollution levels at or below the WHO’s limit.

According to a recent report by Washington Post, on average, people in India have their life expectancy cut short by 5.3 years thanks to air pollution. Hapur and Bulandshar districts, have their life expectancy cut short by 12 years, the greatest reduction due to air pollution anywhere in the world.

In India, industrial emissions, vehicular emissions, crop burning, coal and wood burning are part of daily life. In such a scenario, it would be difficult to cut reliance on these, given the fact that a large chunk of the country’s massive population depends on it.

Keeping this aside, as India gears up to vote in the last phase of the mother of elections, pollution failed to be among the primary causes of concerns in election issues and discourse. Pollution only found a mention in the manifestos of political parties but a real talk never took place.

Perhaps, it is time for India and its policymakers to take cue from other countries and become one of the leaders in the fight to tackle climate change.


Share your views in the comments section below.


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Comments

UPADNYA PHADKE CITY PRIDE SCHOOL

It is definitely a wake up call for india. We must act before it is too late.⏰⚠

UPADNYA PHADKE CITY PRIDE SCHOOL

It is definitely a wake up call for india. We must act before it is too late.⏰⚠

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