The gradual progress of Air pollution around us

Scientist are figuring out all the possible sources of Air pollution

I recently read an article in Forbes about how animal farts are contributing to air pollution. There was a line mentioned in it “Farts are funny but Global warming is not”. How true is it! Scientists are banding together to chalk out the factors contributing to air pollution. I have been living in India for the last thirty years. During my childhood, I never faced any issues related to clean water or air. There was a pond near my house and plenty of free space around my house. We used to get plenty of sunlight inside our house and cool breeze used to enter during the evening. It was the best clean environment that one could give their child to grow. Plenty of small animals, bugs, and birds used to keep calling throughout the day. Everything was as such until a few years ago.

Things are changing around us

Not sure what was the reason, but our small town experienced a sudden increase in population. Suddenly there were more people, more vehicles, more houses being built, more trees being cut, and everything changed. The pond near my house which was home to many fish and small water animals and birds was being filled with sand in order to lay the foundation for a house. The fields near me were being dug and trees being cut to build more houses. Within a year or two I was living in a concrete jungle. No more trees, no more birds, no more animals, only the sound of loud music systems, people and vehicles.

Need sustainable development

I am all in for development, but it should be sustainable.  When it rained, the water used to seep through the soil or accumulate in the nearby pond to recharge the water table. Now that roads and houses are built all the rainwater flows down the drain. With no more trees around there are no animals. Trees are helpful in cleaning the air of dust and small particles. Now they keep floating in the air and we have to breathe it in. To be frank I am worried about the future of my children. Children are born with a weak immune system. As they grow their immune system gets stronger. But in today’s world children are exposed to bad air quality and water at a very early stage. Something that is the bare necessity for human survival. People who can afford to buy air and water purifiers somewhat have a good environment inside their homes. But the fact remains that the outside air quality is plummeting.

Trying to be a green citizen

So as a responsible citizen I try my best to do whatever I can. I don’t have a garden but I my trying to build one at my roof. I have planted a couple of plants at my school where I had completed my education(with the permission of the authorities). Because we cannot plant trees in private of public land without pissing off someone or the other. I save water and electricity as much as possible. I believe if every one of us does our part, no matter how small it may seem, it does make a difference. On this day everyone is aware of climate change. Even farmers have experienced erratic rainfalls and know that it has worsened over the years. Their lively hood depends on it.

Things I wish had happened by now

I can only wish that our government switch to cleaner forms of energy production like hydro, nuclear and solar instead of coal. At the current rate of progression, I think it will take twenty-thirty years more. The time which we do not have. Single-use plastic ban is a must, but I don’t see anyone who cares about it(at least the people in my circle do not care). I know blabbering about this problem won’t make a change. I can only request people to use fewer resources and try to plant more trees.