Pollution

The situation in Afghanistan is dire, with children under five suffering the most. Health experts, international aid organisations, and the government are carving ways to work together to prevent further loss of life.

Cities like Stockholm, Kigali, and Bengaluru offer examples of successful waste management strategies that have drastically reduced open waste burning. These cities demonstrate that change is possible with strong political will, effective policies, and public engagement.

Nearly half of PM2.5 pollution in the worst-affected countries comes from the burning of fossil fuels, biomass, and agricultural waste – also major contributors to climate change. As extreme weather events worsen due to climate change, air pollution is expected to become an even greater threat, UNICEF warned.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) has launched several schemes targeting pollution control, afforestation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management.

We need to think innovatively regarding chemicals of concern, taking inspiration from existing agreements that protect us from harmful chemicals.

According to Oxfam, the world’s richest 1 per cent are responsible for 15 per cent of global emissions. This class is mostly made up of millionaires, who now total nearly 60 million globally and are projected to grow in number to over 65 million by 2028

The sogo shoshas have played a crucial role in Japan’s industrial and economic development. However, the environmental advocacy group, Market Forces, says that these corporations continued investment in liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and gas power plants contradicts global decarbonisation efforts.

In urban areas, the winter months reveal unique indoor air quality challenges. The fine particles from outdoor pollution sources infiltrate homes, offices, and public buildings, significantly degrading air quality.