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Air pollution measures can save millions of lives: Report
Geneva, Oct 30 (IANS) Millions of lives could be saved and one billion people living in Asia could be breathing clean air by 2030 if 25 simple and cost-effective measures are implemented, a new UN report said on Tuesday.
Currently, about four billion people — 92 per cent of Asia and the Pacific’s population — are exposed to levels of air pollution that pose a significant risk to their health.
The report titled “Air pollution in Asia and the Pacific: Science-based solutions” was launched at the World Health Organisation’s first Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health here.
It is the first comprehensive scientific assessment of the air pollution outlook in Asia and the Pacific and is a collaboration between the UN Environment Programme (UN Environment), the Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership, and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition.
The report details 25 policy and technological measures that will deliver benefits across sectors.
The analysis takes the region’s considerable diversity into account and groups the selected measures into three categories.
The first is conventional emission controls focusing on emissions that lead to the formation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
This includes activities like increased emissions standards and controls on vehicles, power plants, and large and small-scale industry.
The second is next-stage air-quality measures for reducing emissions that lead to the formation of PM2.5.
This includes activities like reducing the burning of agricultural and municipal solid waste and preventing forest fires.
The third is measures contributing to development priority goals with benefits for air quality.
This includes activities like providing clean energy for households, improving public transport and promoting the use of electric vehicles.
According to the report, effectively implementing the 25 measures would result in a 20 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide and a 45 per cent reduction in methane emissions, preventing up to a third of a degree Celsius in global warming.
Resulting reductions in ground-level ozone would reduce crop losses by 45 per cent for maize, rice, soy and wheat combined.
Approximately seven million people worldwide die prematurely each year from air pollution-related diseases.
Two-thirds of these deaths occur in the Asia-Pacific region. The reductions in outdoor air pollution from the 25 measures could reduce premature mortality in the region by one third, and help avoid about two million premature deaths from indoor air pollution.
“It is an unfortunate fact that breathing clean air, the most basic of human needs, has become a luxury in many parts of the world. But there are numerous tried and tested solutions that we can put in place now to solve this problem,” UN Environment head Erik Solheim said.
“Implementing these air quality measures is not only good for health and the environment, it can also boost innovation, job creation and economic growth.”
Implementing the 25 measures is projected to cost $300-$600 billion per year, only about five per cent of the projected annual GDP increase of $12 trillion.
In addition to delivering substantial benefits to human health, food production, environmental protection and climate change mitigation, a basket of co-benefits will accrue, including savings on pollution control.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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