On one side there is demonetisation that everyone is talking about, and on the other hand, there are concerns about the increasing dust and pollution levels in the city. Smog, dust and the contaminated air makes breathing difficult and is also harmful for the health. Abdul Ghani, a city-based social activist says, "This increase in air pollution has not happened in a day or two. It has been happening for years and there has been no rainfall for the past so many days. There is no one-time solution to this problem. I was invited for a conference in Delhi and people were talking about inducing artificial rain. That requires a lot of preparation and tonnes of water. The only permanent solution to this problem is planting more trees. Every city should have at least 33.3 per cent green cover but you can hardly find that. A person on an average uses 500 trees in his/her lifetime and doesn't plant even one. There is an imbalance that needs to be rectified. At this rate only droughts will increase all over the country. Everything we consume — from food, water to air is inorganic. I recommend planting Bheema bamboo because this plant has the capacity to absorb four times more of CO2 than other plants and trees. I read that in China, they have this technology where they release a specific chemical in the air. Those few days, no one comes out of their house. This chemical can absorb a lot of pollution from the air. We need to come up with different ways by which pollution can be reduced," he says. Here are a few tips that will help you deal with the increasing pollution levels in the city...
1 Download an outdoor pollution app. This app will predict the quality of the air when you step outside. Certain apps also combine with the weather forecast and help you decide if you want to brave the air outside.
2 Instill an air purifier inside the car and the house. Keep the purifier clean and make sure you clean the filters form time to time.
3 Though it might be a little tedious, make sure you clean your curtains and sheets from time to time. It accumulates a lot of dust and could make breathing difficult. You could also develop an infection.
4 Have a respirator and wear it whenever you step out. It helps you breathe easy. Again, clean it regularly.
5 If you are the kind who goes for a run on the streets, then make sure you do it early in the morning or at night hours. Don't go out during the peak traffic hours.
Things that you can do
There are several ways by which you can reduce your contribution to the pollution. There are some small and basic steps that have been taught right from school and are easy to follow.
l Car pool as much as possible. Use public transport instead of taking a car. One cannot do away with the car at home but can reduce its usage.
l Go organic. Opt for vegetables from the farmer's market. Try and reduce ordering food from online stores. This way you are not asking for a door delivery and are restricting your carbon footprint.
l Reuse and recycle as much as possible. Avoid plastic and buy items that come in glass containers.
l Remember to turn off the lights and other electronic items whenever they are not in use.
l Plant more trees and educate yourself about global warming.
