What You Need To Know About The Air You Breathe

With air quality being at an all-time low, it’s time to step up and take some serious measures. Six thought changers let us in on why you need to sit up and take action.

- Meghna Sharma

From smog hanging over cities to smoke inside our homes, the air we breathe today is gravely toxic. Yet, we continue to live as though nothing is wrong. Take in these scary facts: according to reports, three of the world’s largest nitrogen oxide air pollution hotspots are in India. 24% of all stroke and heart disease deaths here are attributed to air pollution, and 43% of all lung disease and lung cancer deaths are because of lethal air quality. More than 80% of people living in urban areas are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO guideline limits, which means we are dealing with an invisible killer that lurks around all of us. We spoke to six people, who are doing their bit in making this world a more breathable place.

DIA MIRZA

ACTOR AND UN ENVIRONMENT GOODWILL AMBASSADOR, INDIA

“To think that we are separate from the environment is the biggest fallacy of our times. India is home to some of the most polluted cities in the world, and this includes Mumbai—the city I live and breathe in. But since Delhi has been at the centre of some focus related to air pollution levels, I will share with you a perspective that I hope helps you understand that everyone is impacted by poor air quality.

My nephew is seven, and attends a private school in New Delhi. His parents send him to this school with the belief and hope that their son will benefit from a good education and will have access to sports, arts, and other outdoor activities that will hold him in good stead during the course of his future.