A recurring annual post (read nightmare)

Air pollution in Delhi circa Nov. 2016 ©RohithRoy

<5 mins read. Approx. 430 words

The context:

New Delhi air crisis reached it’s peak severity this week. In the same week, the U.S. formally notified the United Nations that it would be the only country among 196 signatories to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change. In the 2016 agreement, almost every country in the world committed to establishing its own emissions target known as the Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Monday that the commitment to sustainable energy posed an “economic burden.” In another climate change related news, Chilean Government has cancelled the hosting of APEC Trade Summit and COP25 this year, amidst civil unrest.

Personal background:

2016 was my last year to visit India, and my most beloved city of Delhi, during Diwali with my family (see the above pic). Stubble burning by farmers in north Indian states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab and U.P. combined with pollution from firecrackers of Diwali, formed such a toxic soup that my family almost chocked to death. We have vowed never to visit Delhi during the month of Diwali. Visibility was zero and the entire city came to a grinding halt. When discussed with the locals in Delhi, the response was that they were used to this air pollution and it didn’t bother them any longer. My uncle, who has recently had double heart attack, said that he keeps his apartment’s windows close to keep the pollution out!

As for the Indian government, they have tried to use anti smog water cannon to combat the toxic air pollution in the nation’s capital, Delhi, in the past. They have also implemented something called odd and even number of driving days for the car owners based on their license number plates. Schools and offices have been closed this year as the air quality is the worst that it has been in the past 8 years. 5 million residents have been handed out face masks. Specialists have warned that inhaling Delhi’s toxic air is equivalent to smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day. As in every episode of an environmental threat, the poorest are the worst hit in this case as well.

In conclusion:

The rich and affluent in Delhi (and all the other major cities around the world for that matter) can pay for clean water, security around their houses and food stability/security. However, this is the type of scenarios that status quo presents in the “so called” emerging economies and developed countries around the world. Ultimately, the world’s wealthiest have to rely for these securities on the billions of others, who have to go outside everyday to earn a living.

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