Rahul Somvanshi
London is facing one of its worst air pollution, most of the regions in London reached unhealthiest AQI levels. Warning comes from the Mayor, Transport for London & others.
Nearly 380 Londoners have lost their lives due to air pollution in 2021 alone. Almost 200,000 lives were lost to air pollution around the world just in 2020. Same year approximately $106 billion were spent on air pollution in only five cities Tokyo, New Delhi, Shanghai, Sao Paulo & Mexico City.
The government warned older people and others with lung or heart issues to avoid heavy physical activity. Healthier people were asked to “reduce physical activity, especially outdoors.
Such high air pollution instances are becoming the new normal. London previously witnessed its heaviest air pollution in 2018 and it has been recurring.
Vehicular emissions remain one of the major causes for the bad AQI. Heating systems are also a large contributor for unhealthy air. Industrial emissions also play its part in making the air worse. To top it, the winter cold traps the pollutants to lower altitudes making the air thicker near the ground.
Nearly 18 peaceful environmental activists were arrested and many arrests peaked around christmas. These activists are demanding solutions to be integrated in the system in order to reduce emissions.
Many Londoners are demanding measures to tackle the air pollution problem. Children and schools remain at the center of the focus as they are the most vulnerable group.
