GreenLetter

GreenLetter X: Air Pollution & Climate Change

Dear Reader,

Air pollution is no longer an abstract environmental concern; it is a public health emergency reshaping India’s future. With 99 per cent of the global population exposed to unsafe air and 7 million premature deaths annually linked to air pollution, the crisis demands immediate action. India ranks fifth among the world’s most polluted countries with a PM2.5 level of 50.6 micrograms per cubic metre in 2024, which is ten times higher than WHO guidelines. The country hosts 13 of the 20 most polluted cities globally, with vehicle emissions from more than 354 million registered vehicles, unpaved roads, and stubble burning creating a year-round hazard. Delhi’s AQI of 462 exemplifies this catastrophe.

This GreenLetter explores the inseparable link between air pollution and climate change, how extreme weather intensifies pollution and how pollution accelerates warming. Through research, our My Air, My Health digital campaign, and advisory initiatives like DOAS installation and GreenTree Air evidence-based solutions. We believe India’s transformation is achievable. China achieved a 40 to 48 per cent PM2.5 reduction between 2013 and 2020 through stringent regulations, renewable energy investment, and infrastructure improvements. India can draw similar lessons. This greenletter amplifies voices demanding action, policy reform, renewable energy adoption, and collective responsibility for cleaner air.

Here’s to a Greener Future!

Sandeep Narang

Is Climate Change Making Air Pollution Worse?

Air pollution and climate change are not separate crises but an interconnected dual threat fuelled by common sources like the burning of fossil fuels. While greenhouse gases (GHGs) like CO₂ drive global warming, the same activities release harmful substances such as particulate matter (PM2.5) that directly diminish air quality. This connection is alarming: the World Health Organization (WHO) attributes approximately 7 million premature deaths annually to air pollution, and climate change further exacerbates the problem through environmental disasters like:

Massive PM emissions from Australia’s 2019–20 bushfires
Methane release due to Arctic permafrost thawing
Heatwaves & irregular monsoons in India are worsening dust, smoke, and smog

Addressing these challenges requires integrated strategies that curb emissions to secure a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

To learn more about the critical link between these two global challenges and how they create a dangerous cycle of environmental and health crises.

Read the Full Article - Part I

Air Quality Deterioration Across India

The focus is on India's silent struggle with air pollution. The challenge is immense: India ranks as the 3rd most polluted country globally, a year-round crisis that directly impacts our daily lives and health. This isn't just a winter problem; it's a constant battle fueled by several key factors:

Construction and Road Dust: Unpaved roads and construction activities are major sources of fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), which can penetrate deep into the lungs.
Vehicle Emissions: With an increasing number of registered vehicles, pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) significantly worsen urban air quality.
Stubble Burning: Seasonal agricultural burning adds a massive spike of pollutants, creating deadly haze in regions like the National Capital Region (NCR).

The cost is severe. The pollution crisis has been linked to a variety of respiratory and cardiovascular issues, reducing life expectancy in some areas by several years.

But there is a definitive path toward cleaner air. Our comprehensive analysis outlines a multi-pronged strategy to break this cycle:

Transition to Clean Energy: Accelerate the shift to solar and wind power to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Improve Urban Practices: Mandate cleaner construction and waste management, and support alternatives to stubble burning.

To fully understand the critical health and environmental consequences, and to see the 11-point plan needed for sustainable change.

Read the Full Article - Part II

Online Community Engagement

Our LinkedIn Campaign: “My Air My Health”

“My Air My Health” is a digital awareness movement designed to empower people with the knowledge, tools, and daily habits to protect themselves from poor air quality.

What We Are Doing (Digital Activities)?