How the Dip in AQI levels impacts the environment and humans

(MENAFN- Life and Style News) .
By; Dr. Sanju Purohit, Associate Professor (Volunteer) at Akamai University, USA, and a Research Fellow at the Women Researcher Council at Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC)


It is that time of the year when air quality in Delhi and nearby areas goes from poor to very poor and even hazardous, at times equivalent to smoking several cigarettes in a day. As the deteriorating air quality poses health threats to not just young children, elderly people and expecting mothers, but to healthy adults as well; and everyone can be seen scouting for solutions. Thus one can only work towards a solution where the AQI levels dip down from very poor to poor and then finally good so that people can breathe.

Lower AQI means fewer pollutants in the air. Even as it gives immediate relief to people from incessant eye burning and laboured breathing, from an environmental perspective, lower AQI promotes biodiversity for both plants and animals because they get a healthy environment to grow. Less polluted air results in less polluted water and less polluted soil. This leads to an enhanced ecosystem health even as reduced greenhouse gases result in decreased acid rains and reduced global warming. These conditions will have a positive impact on plant-animal growth. For humans, it results in reduced respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Clean air helps to get rid of chronic pollution in urban areas and promotes overall wellness. It also promotes social benefits in terms of lower healthcare costs and improved worker productivity.

As a contributing author of the research paper on ‘Pond degradation and wildlife preservation: A Geographical Analysis,’ published in African Journal of Biological Sciences, my colleagues and I explored the explored on Ponds and it’s ecosystem. The research focuses on how ‘Ponds are essential components of ecosystems worldwide, maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity. However, the many species that depend on these vital water supplies are now in risk due to their degradation brought on by increased human activity and environmental changes. In Ahmadabad, Gujarat, this study intends to assess the geophysical characteristics, ascertain farmers' attitudes towards encouraging wildlife activity in 60 dairy farm ponds, and investigate the relationship between habitat and landscape features and bird populations. A five-meter-wide section of the riverbank and the meadows, hayfields, and fallows that encircled these small, round ponds with muddy or stony margins were included in the observation. Through the recording of 1,962 birds from 45 different species, the study discovered correlations between landscape features and bird abundance.’

My research on ‘Smart Solutions For Environmental Sustainability And Climate Changes’ highlights innovative approaches to sustainable living that mitigate pollution. It states how ‘By utilising technology, data, and innovation, smart solutions play a crucial role in tackling the interconnected problems of climate change and environmental sustainability. In order to build cities that are socially inclusive, economically successful, robust to the effects of climate change, and environmentally benign, this research study examines sustainable urban planning as a crucial activity. The study highlights the necessity of international cooperation to effectively address global environmental concerns and ends with actionable recommendations based on research findings.

So, to keep the AQI under control preventive measures must be undertaken to regulate industrial emission, encourage clean energy resources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, improve public transport, encourage plantation, promote three R policy, reduce, reuse, recycle, implement effective waste segregation and reduce open burning of waste. Public awareness through different digital platforms will also play a key role in ensuring that we create a planet that is breathable for us and can be used by future generations too.

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