Event Details
The talk explores the evolution of air pollution policy and how the experiences of cities, the portrayal of the issue in culture and interactions with policy have led us to the current status quo. The talk will delve into the interactive effects of climate and air pollution as they are manifesting in Indian cities and outline approaches for policy-making.
Project: CSUL - Center for Sustainable Urban Livelihoods
Key Takeway
Key takeaways from the session: - Air pollution is a major health risk across life stages, from prenatal to elderly, with North Indian cities recording PM2.5 levels 10–15x above WHO limits. - Unlike other countries with single-source pollution, Delhi’s air crisis stems from multiple contributors — vehicular emissions, construction dust, cooking fuels, and open waste burning — complicated by fragmented governance. - Cultural and artistic portrayals historically influenced public awareness and policy momentum, from Donora and London to Delhi. - Heat Action Plans (HAPs) are gaining ground, but calls for localisation of actions to include vulnerability concerns of informal workers. - The synergistic impact of heat and air pollution requires integrated planning — not just mitigation but also systemic adaptation.
