Citizens in Pune discuss AQLI and how it can be used to reduce pollution

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

Sharing hisinsights on the impact of air pollution on human health at the workshop, Dr. D.M. Chate, the former Deputy Director, SAFAR Indian Institute of TropicalMeteorology (IITM), said, “There has been a sharp rise in the direct impact of air pollutioncaused by various emissions in the last decade in Pune. There is so muchliterature available on how air pollution has doubled in the city and caseswith respiratory diseases have also gone up. Puneites are breathing much morepolluted air compared to a decade ago. ”

Talking abouthow civil society can play an active role in curbing air pollution, Ekta Kumar, senior columnist said, “Airpollution kills, and yet we do not hear enough voices demanding clean air. Onlywhen 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, andif an increasing number of people begin to ask the right questions, things willchange.”

Taking a cuefrom that, Dr. Geetanjali Kaushik,EC Member, IITDAA & Associate Professor, Hi-TechInstitute of Technology Waluj, Aurangabad, added, “Policymakers and civil society need to adaptto changing technology. Tools like AQLI are more than just handy forcommunicating how dangerous air pollution has become and the need for thisgeneration 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.

AQLI FACT SHEET FOR PUNE