Guwahati; September 6, 2021: September 7th is the UN General Assembly-designated International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. On the 2nd annual observance of this Day, intended to raise awareness and mobilize global action for air quality improvement and climate change mitigation, various organizations have expressed their concern regarding the problem.
Sudhir Goel, Chief Business Officer, Acer India, says, “Air pollution is one the biggest environmental threat to public health globally. There is no doubt that over the last decade, India’s high levels of air pollution have greatly increased. The pandemic has taught us, there is an opportunity to set ourselves on the path towards addressing the wrongs and ensure that we don’t lose the environmental gains we have made. Environmental change is a prime concern for countries across the globe, and it is prudent that we find a way to use this crisis as a catalyst for change. I urge on this international day of Clean Air, we must ensure that clean air is available to all and access to air purifiers be more easily available, regardless of geography or socioeconomic status.”
Dr. Srikanth Sola, Founder and CEO, Devic Earth, expresses that air pollution is a global problem which impacts human health and stunts economic growth. He adds that the problem is not just limited to a specific geographic area or a specific community and affects everyone. “Fortunately, there are at least 100 things we can do to improve air quality, and all of them start with reducing air pollution at the source. Simple things can be done like turning off lights and fans that are not in use, to ensuring the tyres of your car or two-wheeler are properly inflated. Other steps require more effort: buying products from companies with tangible sustainability efforts; or installing rooftop solar for your home, apartment community, or office building”, he says.
He further adds, “Most powerful ways to ensure clean air require a concerted public and private effort: switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy; closing gaps in air quality enforcement; and limiting emissions from the transportation sector. Innovation is required to make the air clean again. This includes new technologies that improve air quality over large areas, products that reduce pollution from factories and industries, or reduce what comes out of traditional diesel or petrol fuel pipes from table from vehicles. All of these will ensure that clean air reaches everyone regardless of geography or socio-economic status.”
Echoing the same sentiment, Rishi Chandiok, Regional Director (South Asia), QNet Ltd., emphasizes, “The pandemic has taught us that human health, economic wellbeing, and the natural environment are deeply connected, most aptly reiterated through the theme of ‘Healthy Air, Healthy Planet’ today on the International Day of Clean Air. Research over the last 18 months has shown that long term exposure to air pollution increases the severity of Covid-19 related health outcomes. As the world slowly re-emerges from the pandemic, we have the opportunity to lay the foundation for a greener, more inclusive recovery that allows us to live in harmony with the environment. We still have some ways to go towards this. At QNET, we are committed to developing products that help in this recovery process by providing our customers with a range of air purifiers that will help them breathe clear, safe air in their homes and protect their families from additional risk exposure.”
Official commemorations of the second International Day of Clean Air for blue skies will take place in Nairobi, New York and Bangkok.
