If you talk to your grandparents, or even parents, about pollution they may tell you that things were much different when they were younger. Pollution has become a major problem in the world today and it is important to be aware of how it impacts our lives and what we can do to protect ourselves from it.
India has seen a dip in the air quality index (AQI) due to increasing pollution over the years, leading to various health issues. If you live in the NCR region or in the nearby cities, then you know how the air quality has deteriorated to the extent that it is hazardous for us.
It is without any doubt that the primary cause of air pollution is vehicular emissions and industrial smoke, but what can we as an individual do to protect ourselves from pollution?
How Can We Protect Ourselves From Pollution?
1. Monitor local air quality
You can easily keep track of the air quality in your area by checking online sites, it’s no big deal. The AQI tells you the number of pollutants present in the atmosphere and should help you decide whether or not to stay indoors or go outside based on your risk level.
2. Use air-purifiers
Invest in an air purifier – it’s a smart move for your health and well-being! With its powerful filtering system, it effectively eliminates dust and other pollutants from your home or office, leaving you with nothing but clean, fresh air and a healthier environment.
3. Wear a mask when going outdoors
The recent events of covid-19 have made us aware of the importance of a face mask. But not just for covid-19, wearing masks helps filter out pollutants from entering our bodies and thus protecting us from any harmful particles in the atmosphere.
4. Use public transportation
This is as obvious as it gets. Driving your own car will increase the emission of pollutants in the atmosphere and thus contribute to more air pollution. Taking the metro or the DTDC buses will reduce your contribution to air pollution and also helps you save on gas and money. This is a win-win situation.
5. Plant trees
This is arguably the most important step, and it might not necessarily be visible to a lot of people out there, but planting more trees will reduce air pollution and help make our environment healthier. You can go out and plant some saplings in your local park or garden or even get involved in a plantation drive if you want to.
6. Change the way you cook and use energy:
This is not for everyone, but changing the way you cook and using renewable sources of energy can be a great way to reduce air pollution. You can switch to biogas or solar energy which are clean sources of energy and help reduce your carbon footprint. We understand that this could be a little heavy on the pocket, but try to look at the bigger picture and understand the importance of reducing air pollution. If you can’t afford then at least make sure that when cooking, you use low flame as it will help reduce smoke emissions in the atmosphere which is a major source of air pollution.
7. Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances
This is an important step for households and businesses alike. By upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, you can save a lot of money in the long run and also reduce your contribution to air pollution as these appliances use less energy than their traditional counterparts. If you still don’t understand how you are contributing to air pollution by using energy-consuming appliances, then think about this — most of the electricity that we use is produced by burning coal and other fossil fuels which release hazardous gases into the atmosphere.
8. Spread awareness
Most people are not aware of the consequences of air pollution or how they can protect themselves from it. So, it is important to spread awareness and educate people about the importance of protecting our environment and reducing their contribution to air pollution. You can start by talking to your family, friends, and colleagues about it or even post about it on social media — whatever works for you!
9. Make use of renewable sources
Renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectricity are cleaner sources of energy and help reduce air pollution. You can switch to these sources in your own home or office, or even invest in companies that build renewable energy projects. This is a great way to contribute towards reducing air pollution and making our environment cleaner.
10. Support green initiatives
There are many green initiatives around the world that aim at reducing air pollution and making our environment cleaner. You can support these initiatives by either donating money or volunteering to help the cause. Such initiatives are usually led by local governments, non-profits, and private companies which need your support in order to make the world a better place.
Read More- How does weather change affect our health?
Conclusion
Air pollution is an ever-growing problem and it needs to be addressed as soon as possible. We need to take the necessary steps in order to reduce air pollution, such as reducing our energy consumption, switching to renewable sources of energy, planting more trees, and supporting green initiatives. All these will help us make a cleaner future for ourselves and the generations to come.
So, don’t delay any longer — start taking small steps today and make a difference in the fight against air pollution!
