Gases and Atmospheric Chemistry: Global Air Quality - China & India

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/03/upshot/the-next-big-climate-question-will-india-follow-china.html?ref=earth&abt=0002&abg=1

Reference material: #1 http://www.bcairquality.ca/101/air-quality-factors.html and

#2 http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/4/6/india-pollution.html

It's likely that when you hear air pollution, you immediately think about the smog-infused streets of Beijing and people wearing those surgical masks. What you might not know is that India, particularly the city of New Delhi, is even worse.

According to air quality levels measured by WHO (World Health Organization) last year, New Delhi was found to be the worst - over 10 times the acceptable limit in

ppm. It also has the largest ppm of particulate matter 2.5 (referring to a certain type of PM - 2.5 micrometer long particles of toxic organic compounds floating in the air, including heavy metals). (Reference #1)

From concurring studies cited in the article, this pollution 'shortens lives and, in the process, undermines the economic growth emerging economies urgently need'. In one particular study on the comparison of North China's pollution with that of South China's, they found that due to subsidies for coal heating in the winter, Northern Chinese were losing 5 years of their life. 5 years of life per person means billions of years lost.

Similarly, if the regions of India that violate the standard reduce their air pollution to a healthy, acceptable degree, the 660 million people currently living in those areas would see an increase their life expectancy by an average of 3.2 years, equating to two billion years of life.

The good news is that Chinese citizens have been calling for change, holding various protests and online activism efforts. Even greater, their government has responded with action - most notably the declaration of 'a war on pollution' by China's premier, Li Keqiang. The leadership has realized that cleaner air doesn't only reduce global pollution, rates of sickness and health care costs, but that it also greatly increases life spans, meaning more economical contribution as well as productivity during those hours.

At the climate talks in Lima, Peru earlier this year, Narendra Modi (India's prime minister) publicly recognized his country’s serious pollution problem. Air quality index data has since been made to the public on 10 cities in India, including New Delhi, with an aim to eventualily cover 66. Although their environment minister, during the unveil, didn't give much indication as to what the government would do to improve the readings - he did mention the development of some new regulations on waste disposal. (Reference #2)

It is hopeful that more implemenations are to come, although more rigorous efforts are needed from all parties to completely resolve a problem of this magnitude. It's near impossible for us here in Ottawa to comprehend just how bad it is. Here, where clean water is considered standard, clean air - practically life itself - seems to be a global standard. If these countries follow through on their resolutions, it could mean major differences in terms quality of life for their citizens. One has to wonder when the history books will mark as the turning point for efforts against climate change - hopefully sooner rather than never.

Have you ever visited either of these cities/countries? Was their air pollution immediately noticeable, and if you can give your first-hand account of it. What do you think are the main reasons that governments and corporations are still trying to avoid or deny the importance of environmental regulations when the evidence is stacked against them, and how the citizens can overcome this remarkable folly, in gentle terms?