2024 State of Global Air Report

The 2024 State of Global Air Report brings alarming news about air pollution and its impact on children’s health in India. Every day, 464 children under the age of five die because of air pollution, making it the second largest cause of death for young children worldwide. This problem is especially severe in low and middle-income countries like India, and it needs immediate attention.

What is PM2.5 Particles?

PM2.5 particles are tiny bits of pollution that can be found in the air. These particles are very dangerous because they are small enough to get deep into our lungs. Once they enter the body, they can cause serious health problems like heart and lung diseases, diabetes, and even dementia. More than 90% of deaths related to air pollution are linked to these PM2.5 particles.

Impact on Young Children

Young children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution. In 2021, nearly 5 million children worldwide died from indoor air pollution caused by dirty fuels like wood or coal used for cooking and heating. This shows how badly air pollution is affecting children’s health and why urgent action is needed to protect them.

What causes Air Pollution?

The main causes of air pollution include:

• Fossil fuel power plants (such as coal and oil power stations)
• Traffic emissions (pollution from cars and trucks)
• Poor waste management (garbage that is not properly disposed of)
• Burning of agricultural waste (farmers burning crop residue)

These sources of pollution are especially severe in cities like Delhi, making urban areas more polluted.

Rankings and Life Expectancy

According to the 6th Annual World Air Quality Report, New Delhi is the most polluted capital city in the world. India ranks third overall for the highest pollution levels globally. The toxic air reduces the life expectancy of people living in the country. On average, people in India are living three years less because of the bad air quality. In the northern areas, like Delhi, people could lose as much as 5.4 years of their lives due to pollution.

Government Efforts to Tackle the Crisis

The government is aware of the seriousness of the situation. A joint meeting was planned for September 5, 2024, where different government departments would come together to create a plan to reduce pollution in Delhi. The goal is to find effective strategies to tackle the issue.

The report stresses that air pollution is a bigger threat to public health than malnutrition and alcohol. It also reduces life expectancy more than smoking. To protect the health of current and future generations, it is essential to take strong and urgent measures to reduce air pollution as soon as possible.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2024

Category: Reports & Indexes Current Affairs