By John Q. Hosedrinker 
New Delhi is experiencing severe air pollution, causing the city’s iconic Red Fort to show signs of damage and sparking protests from concerned residents. Despite decades of air pollution plans, the air quality remains dangerously unhealthy, particularly during the winter months. The government’s recent cloud seeding experiment, aimed at washing away the toxic air, was unsuccessful, and scientists point out that the needed conditions to do so are generally absent during Delhi’s winter. Residents and experts are urging the government to address the pollution at its source, as the current situation significantly impacts public health and causes millions of pollution-related deaths annually.
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Lethal smog is back in the world’s most polluted capital, and the residents of New Delhi seem to have reached a breaking point, or at least that’s what we are told. The reality, however, paints a complex picture. The air quality index regularly soars above 400, a level considered hazardous to all, and the city finds itself choked once more by a toxic haze.
The ingredients of this environmental disaster are familiar and persistent. Farmers in neighboring states burning leftover crops contribute a hefty 40% of the pollution. Vehicles and traffic account for another 30%, while industry adds 10%, construction 10%, and households burning materials for heat and cooking contribute the remaining 10%. Compounding the issue is Delhi’s geographic location in a valley, which traps pollutants. This effect is further intensified during the winter months, with temperature inversions, low winds, and increased burning all adding to the misery.
Now, let’s look at the solutions, or rather, the lack thereof. The government has attempted to implement strategies, but the effectiveness is debatable. Cloud seeding, an expensive and unreliable attempt to induce rain, has been tried and failed. Stricter regulations on vehicles, construction, and industry are in place, but enforcement remains a major challenge. The residents, despite their complaints, don’t seem to be motivated to change their habits.
The situation in New Delhi offers a stark contrast to the efforts of other major cities. China, for instance, provides a fascinating case study. After years of battling similar pollution issues, the Chinese government took decisive action. They relocated polluting factories, invested billions in electric buses, and incentivized farmers to switch from burning crop residue to selling it. They also implemented strict monitoring of construction sites and held officials accountable. The result? Within a decade, some Chinese cities transformed from being among the world’s most polluted to maintaining air quality comparable to other well-managed urban centers.
Unfortunately, in Delhi, the opposite seems to be happening. There is a deeply rooted apathy and the authorities are reactive, not proactive. This is exemplified by the widespread practice of spraying water near AQI stations, likely to falsely report cleaner air quality levels. Meanwhile, the residents continue to purchase luxury apartments, seemingly unconcerned about the health risks associated with breathing polluted air, or the fact that their government takes almost a third of their upper middle-class income in taxes.
The reasons for this are multi-layered. Corruption, a lack of political will, and a cultural reluctance to prioritize environmental concerns all play a role. Farmers in neighboring states resist changes that impact their livelihoods, while the government hesitates to act due to political pressure. Even the residents themselves sometimes seem more interested in celebrating festivals that exacerbate the problem, such as Diwali, with its widespread use of fireworks, than in demanding cleaner air.
The problems extend even further, as is the case in other democratic countries as well. In these scenarios, the general public may not prioritize clean air or the government may be hesitant to ban ICE scooters or cars, ban crop burning or even ban fireworks.
Ultimately, the smog crisis in New Delhi is a stark reminder of the complexities of environmental challenges. It’s a problem that requires a multifaceted approach, involving governmental regulations, changes in individual behavior, and, perhaps most importantly, a collective commitment to prioritizing clean air over short-term gains and self-interest. It’s time for change; the air we breathe depends on it.