Pune’s deteriorating air quality has been in the headlines and Pune also happens to be one of India’s non-attainment cities concerning ambient air quality under the National Clean Air Programme. To increase pollution literacy among citizens, a workshop was organized by the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi Alumni Association (IITDAA) Pune Chapter and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC India) in Pune on 6^th October 2019.

Sharing his insights on the impact of air pollution on human health at the workshop, Dr. D.M. Chate, the former Deputy Director, SAFAR Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), said, “There has been a sharp rise in the direct impact of air pollution caused by various emissions in the last decade in Pune. There is so much literature available on how air pollution has doubled in the city and cases with respiratory diseases have also gone up. Puneites are breathing much more polluted air compared to a decade ago. ”

Talking about how civil society can play an active role in curbing air pollution, Ekta Kumar, senior columnist said, “Air pollution kills, and yet we do not hear enough voices demanding clean air. Only when people are aware of the extent of the problem, will they demand action. Media can be a powerful tool to shape public opinion. It amplifies voices, and if an increasing number of people begin to ask the right questions, things will change.”

Taking a cue from that, Dr. Geetanjali Kaushik, EC Member, IITDAA & Associate Professor, Hi-Tech Institute of Technology Waluj, Aurangabad, added, “Policymakers and civil society need to adapt to changing technology. Tools like AQLI are more than just handy for communicating how dangerous air pollution has become and the need for this generation to speak up and act.”

The workshop, meant to raise awareness about the impact of pollution on human health, was attended by more than 60 participants, most of whom are IIT Delhi alumnus, comprising of environmentalists, doctors, industry professionals, among others. All the participants were handed over a city-specific AQLI handout for increasing their awareness.