India has scripted success in eradicating polio and tackling other health emergencies and there is no reason why the country cannot do so for air pollution, UN Environment chief Erik Solheim has said at a time several north Indian cities, including Delhi, are battling alarming levels of pollution.
Solheim has expressed confidence that the country can tackle air pollution, which he said is one of the world's biggest killers and a global public health emergency.
The UN Environment chief termed air pollution as a "crisis" that requires government, policy-makers, scientists and civil society to come together to mitigate, and asserted "we need to count on the support of the public in this".
Air pollution in cities in India, especially in Delhi and its neighbouring states, have reached alarming levels and had gone off the charts after Diwali when the air quality dipped to severe levels, prompting authorities to enforce emergency measures such as ban on construction activities and entry of heavy vehicles into the national capital.
"The sad truth is that Indian cities are not alone in their suffering. Poor air quality is one of the world's biggest killers and a global public health emergency. This was clear at the recent WHO conference on air pollution, where air pollution was declared on a par with tobacco in the nature of the risk it poses to human life.
"Living in a city should not mean accepting that you have to shave years off your life, lose cognitive capabilities or watch helplessly as children and the elderly gasp for breath. India has scripted such success with polio eradication and other health emergencies, there is absolutely no reason why the country cannot do it for air pollution," Solheim told PTI.
The UN Environment chief said there is no "magic single solution" to the problem, but rather a range of actions that can be taken by individuals, city authorities and governments.
He said that for the UN Environment, air pollution is a high priority area.
"Science is crucial as filling the data gap -- which we are trying to do by rolling out a low-cost, inter-connected air quality monitoring system -- will help policy-makers make informed decisions that will translate into quick improvements.
Solheim has expressed confidence that the country can tackle air pollution, which he said is one of the world's biggest killers and a global public health emergency.
The UN Environment chief termed air pollution as a "crisis" that requires government, policy-makers, scientists and civil society to come together to mitigate, and asserted "we need to count on the support of the public in this".
Air pollution in cities in India, especially in Delhi and its neighbouring states, have reached alarming levels and had gone off the charts after Diwali when the air quality dipped to severe levels, prompting authorities to enforce emergency measures such as ban on construction activities and entry of heavy vehicles into the national capital.
"The sad truth is that Indian cities are not alone in their suffering. Poor air quality is one of the world's biggest killers and a global public health emergency. This was clear at the recent WHO conference on air pollution, where air pollution was declared on a par with tobacco in the nature of the risk it poses to human life.
"Living in a city should not mean accepting that you have to shave years off your life, lose cognitive capabilities or watch helplessly as children and the elderly gasp for breath. India has scripted such success with polio eradication and other health emergencies, there is absolutely no reason why the country cannot do it for air pollution," Solheim told PTI.
The UN Environment chief said there is no "magic single solution" to the problem, but rather a range of actions that can be taken by individuals, city authorities and governments.
He said that for the UN Environment, air pollution is a high priority area.
"Science is crucial as filling the data gap -- which we are trying to do by rolling out a low-cost, inter-connected air quality monitoring system -- will help policy-makers make informed decisions that will translate into quick improvements.
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