To: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar
A designated individual (with cabinet rank) whose only focus will be Clean Air -- to reduce PM 2.5 levels to below 60 micrograms per cubic metre of air (annual average) and 100 (peak) across the country
We need a Clean Air CEO. Someone who can do what TN Seshan did for elections, Nandan Nilekani for Aadhaar, E Sreedharan for Metros.
Why is this important?
Air pollution kills a child every 3 minutes in India. A new born smokes the equivalent of 26 cigarettes in case of toxic air. According to the Global Burden of Disease 2017, children are the biggest victims of toxic air, as their as their lungs are still developing. It also causes cognitive impairment (lower IQ as well!). A newborn smokes the equivalent of
Over the past few years, air pollution has peaked to alarming levels in India, caused in great part due to vehicular and industry emissions, coal-fired power plants, construction dust, waste burning, poor land use patters and more. Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter (PM) are the major pollutants -- PM enters the lungs and causes severe health impacts. Besides, no one develops immunity to micro pollutants especially PM2.5, (otherwise smokers would have the best immunity!) Air pollution can trigger cancers, heart disease diabetes, obesity, neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia, infertility and low birthweight.
The exposure to PM levels is well above WHO's air quality standards. And while individual initiaves matter, they don't eliminate the need for a leadership role within our Central Government to address what is a public health emergency. We need a strong and decisive "Clean Air Authority" who is empowered, independent (reports directly to PM), accountable, fully-resourced, transparent and will put public health ahead of any other goal. S/He will implement a new Clean Air Act whose focus is public health.
Sign this important campaign asking for a Clean Air Authority, who will be dedicated to the cause of bringing down air pollution by working towards sustainable and effective solutions.
To: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar
A designated individual (with cabinet rank) whose only focus will be Clean Air -- to reduce PM 2.5 levels to below 60 micrograms per cubic metre of air (annual average) and 100 (peak) across the country
We need a Clean Air CEO. Someone who can do what TN Seshan did for elections, Nandan Nilekani for Aadhaar, E Sreedharan for Metros.
Why is this important?
Air pollution kills a child every 3 minutes in India. A new born smokes the equivalent of 26 cigarettes in case of toxic air. According to the Global Burden of Disease 2017, children are the biggest victims of toxic air, as their as their lungs are still developing. It also causes cognitive impairment (lower IQ as well!). A newborn smokes the equivalent of
Over the past few years, air pollution has peaked to alarming levels in India, caused in great part due to vehicular and industry emissions, coal-fired power plants, construction dust, waste burning, poor land use patters and more. Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter (PM) are the major pollutants -- PM enters the lungs and causes severe health impacts. Besides, no one develops immunity to micro pollutants especially PM2.5, (otherwise smokers would have the best immunity!) Air pollution can trigger cancers, heart disease diabetes, obesity, neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia, infertility and low birthweight.
The exposure to PM levels is well above WHO's air quality standards. And while individual initiaves matter, they don't eliminate the need for a leadership role within our Central Government to address what is a public health emergency. We need a strong and decisive "Clean Air Authority" who is empowered, independent (reports directly to PM), accountable, fully-resourced, transparent and will put public health ahead of any other goal. S/He will implement a new Clean Air Act whose focus is public health.
Sign this important campaign asking for a Clean Air Authority, who will be dedicated to the cause of bringing down air pollution by working towards sustainable and effective solutions.