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India tops in pollution-related deaths: Lancet study

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7 years ago

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]India tops the world in pollution-related premature deaths, according to figures for 2015 released in a recent Lancet study.

India recorded 2.51 million premature deaths due to pollution in 2015, followed by China at 1.8 million deaths, the study revealed.

The findings coincide with the festival of Diwali, which has been synonymous with smoke-choked air due to the rampant bursting of firecrackers across the country, adding to the already high levels of particulate matter. Last year, in New Delhi, firecracker smoke combined with vehicular pollution, coal plant emissions, and fumes from burning crops in neighbouring states raised pollution levels to severe plus category and created a health emergency.

Together, India and China accounted for nearly 48% of the worldwide total of 9 million. The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health based its findings on data from the Global Burden of Disease study.

“People in poorer countries – like construction workers in New Delhi – are more exposed to air pollution and less able to protect themselves from exposure, as they walk, bike or ride the bus to workplaces that may also be polluted,” Karti Sandilya, one of the authors of the commission’s report, told the news agency Reuters.   

Air pollution is by far the biggest culprit around the world, followed by polluted water. The greatest impact is occurring in rapidly developing and industrialising countries, the report says.

It says, “Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and premature death in the world today. Diseases caused by pollution were responsible for an estimated 9 million premature deaths in 2015 – 16% of all deaths worldwide – three times more deaths than from AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined and 15 times more than from all wars and other forms of violence. In the most severely affected countries, pollution-related disease is responsible for more than one death in four.”

One out of every four premature deaths in India in 2015, or some 2.5 million, was attributed to pollution, the study found. China’s environment was the second deadliest, with more than 1.8 million premature deaths, or one in five, blamed on pollution-related illness.

Several other countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, North Korea, South Sudan and Haiti also see nearly a fifth of their premature deaths caused by pollution.

If anything, the burden of pollution-related diseases and deaths is likely to be underestimated, the report adds, given that so many emerging chemical pollutants are yet to be identified.

Experts say the 9 million premature deaths the study found was just a partial estimate, and the number of people killed by pollution is undoubtedly higher and will be quantified once more research is done and new methods of assessing harmful impacts are developed.

Soil pollution has received scant attention. And there are still plenty of potential toxins still being ignored, with less than half of the 5,000 new chemicals widely dispersed throughout the environment since 1950 having been tested for safety or toxicity.

Even the conservative estimate of 9 million pollution-related deaths is one-and-a-half times higher than the number of people killed by smoking, three times the number killed by AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined, more than six times the number killed in road accidents, and 15 times the number killed in war or other forms of violence, according to GBD tallies.

To reach its figures, the study’s authors used methods outlined by the US Environmental Protection Agency for assessing field data from soil tests, as well as with air and water pollution data from the Global Burden of Disease, an ongoing study run by institutions including the World Health Organization and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.

It is most often the world’s poorest who suffer. The vast majority of pollution-related deaths – 92% – occur in low- or middle-income developing countries, where policy makers are chiefly concerned with developing their economies, lifting people out of poverty and building basic infrastructure, the study found. Environmental regulations in those countries tend to be weaker, and industries lean on outdated technologies and dirtier fuels.

In wealthier countries where overall pollution is not as rampant, it is still the poorest communities that are more often exposed, the report says.

The financial cost from pollution-related death, sickness and welfare is equally massive, the report says, costing some $4.6 trillion in annual losses – or about 6.2% of the global economy.

“What people don’t realize is that pollution does damage to economies. People who are sick or dead cannot contribute to the economy. They need to be looked after,” said Richard Fuller, head of the global toxic watchdog Pure Earth and one of the 47 scientists, policy makers and public health experts who contributed to the 51-page report.

“There is this myth that finance ministers still live by, that you have to let industry pollute or else you won’t develop, he said. “It just isn’t true.”

The report cites EPA research showing that the US has gained some $30 in benefits for every dollar spent on controlling air pollution since 1970, when Congress enacted the Clean Air Act, one of the world’s most ambitious environmental laws. Removing lead from gasoline has earned the US economy another $6 trillion cumulatively since 1980, according to studies by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, architect of India’s economic reforms, passes away at 92

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3 hours ago

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December 26, 2024

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In a moment of national sorrow, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has passed away at the age of 92 due to age-related medical conditions. The announcement was made by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, where Singh had been receiving treatment in recent days.

According to the statement released by AIIMS, Singh was found unconscious at his residence earlier today, December 26, 2024. “He was promptly administered resuscitative measures at home and brought to the AIIMS medical emergency at 8:06 pm,” the statement said. Despite all efforts to revive him, he was declared dead at 9:51 pm.

Manmohan Singh, who served as the Prime Minister of India for two consecutive terms from 2004 to 2014, was a towering figure in Indian politics. His tenure is marked by his leadership in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. He was widely recognized for his calm and intellectual approach to governance, though it was his role as Finance Minister in the early 1990s that cemented his legacy as one of India’s most influential political figures.

Singh’s role in the landmark economic reforms of 1991, which included liberalizing India’s economy, reducing trade barriers, and opening the doors to foreign investment, is often credited with saving the country from economic collapse. These reforms transformed India’s economic landscape, setting the stage for its rapid growth in the subsequent decades.

In the wake of his passing, tributes poured in from across the political spectrum. Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Sonia Gandhi arrived at AIIMS soon after the news of Singh’s hospitalization became known. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party MP Rahul Gandhi, currently in Belagavi for a Congress Working Committee meeting, are en route back to Delhi, according to reports.

Singh’s death marks the end of an era in Indian politics. He is survived by his wife, Gurcharan Singh, and their three daughters. Known for his humble and dignified nature, Singh’s contributions to India’s economic transformation will continue to resonate for generations to come.

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PM Modi says need to equip youth with skills in emerging technologies like AI

He acknowledged the significant contribution of youth energy to India’s advancement and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to nurturing young talent and boosting their self-confidence.

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6 hours ago

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December 26, 2024

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday emphasised the importance of adapting to the rapidly evolving world, noting that emerging needs, expectations, and future directions underscore the necessity for a modern approach in equipping young people with skills in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning.

He acknowledged the significant contribution of youth energy to India’s advancement and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to nurturing young talent and boosting their self-confidence.

In his remarks during the ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ celebrations, Modi stated, “This era has moved beyond machines to machine learning. AI is taking centre stage, and we can see its application replacing conventional software. It is essential to make our youth future ready to tackle these challenges.” The observance of ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ honors the courage and sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh’s four sons, esteemed figures in Sikhism.

The Prime Minister outlined that the government’s policies are focused on youth, encompassing various sectors, including the startup ecosystem, space economy, sports and fitness, fintech, manufacturing, skill development, and internship programs.

He highlighted that the new National Education Policy is designed to modernize education, facilitating expansive learning opportunities.

Additionally, Modi announced the launch of the ‘Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyan,’ aimed at fostering healthy competition among village panchayats to eliminate malnutrition, thus laying the groundwork for a developed India. He encouraged the youth to excel in their respective fields, whether in railways, semiconductors, travel, or astronomy.

The Prime Minister highlighted that youth power is at the forefront of driving revolutions across various fields, including startups, science, sports, and entrepreneurship. He emphasised that all government policies—whether related to the startup ecosystem, the future of the space economy, the sports and fitness sector, fintech and manufacturing industries, or skill development and internship programs—are designed with a youth-centric focus to benefit young people.

During the Veer Bal Diwas ceremony, Modi paid tribute to the “unparalleled” sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons, the Sahibzadas, who chose “unwavering courage and faith over submission to the Mughal Empire’s oppression.” He remarked that the government established this day of remembrance to honor the bravery of the Sahibzadas, stating, “Their legacy continues to inspire.”

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Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy under threat from Modi government: Sonia Gandhi

Approximately 200 leaders, including CWC members, special invitees, party officials, and former chief ministers, convened for the Congress meeting in Belagavi.

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6 hours ago

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December 26, 2024

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Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chief Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy is under threat from those in power in New Delhi and the ideologies and institutions that have nurtured them. She urged the party workers to bolster their commitment to addressing these challenges with determination.

As the Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson, Gandhi slammed the Narendra Modi government and the RSS, urging action against the forces she accused of fostering the toxic environment that contributed to Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination.

“It was a transformative moment in our nation’s history. Today, we recommit to honoring, safeguarding, and advancing the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, who has always been and will remain our fundamental source of inspiration,” she stated.

“His influence shaped and guided the remarkable leaders of his time. However, his legacy now faces threats from those in power in New Delhi, along with the ideologies and institutions that support them,” she continued in her message.

“These organisations never stood for our freedom; they vehemently opposed Mahatma Gandhi and are responsible for creating a toxic environment that led to his assassination. Furthermore, they celebrate his assassins,” Gandhi asserted.

She highlighted that “Gandhian institutions across the nation are under assault” and expressed that it is fitting for this meeting to be named Nava Satyagraha Baithak. She called for a renewed determination to confront these forces with all available strength.

Additionally, she encouraged party workers to unite and tackle the challenges ahead with urgency and renewed enthusiasm.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, also speaking at the meeting, accused the BJP of disrespecting freedom fighters, particularly B.R. Ambedkar. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his administration refuse to acknowledge the error made by Home Minister Amit Shah regarding his “extremely insulting” comments about Ambedkar.

In response, the BJP condemned the Congress’s gathering, labeling the Belagavi session as a “monumental mockery of the principles of Mahatma Gandhi.” Senior BJP leader C.R. Kesavan remarked that “Rahul Gandhi’s Congress stands in stark opposition to Mahatma Gandhi and his ideals.”

Approximately 200 leaders, including CWC members, special invitees, party officials, and former chief ministers, convened for the Congress meeting in Belagavi.

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