"To understand what from a rich-country perspective is the developing world’s peculiar obduracy in reacting to air pollution one must take into consideration the fact that many Beijingers/Delhiites will die prematurely and/or suffer long years of bad health regardless of air pollution. They must grapple with a long list of possible ills including typhoid, dengue fever, tuberculosis and malnutrition, before becoming overly concerned with the cardiovascular implications of exposure to dirty air."
This is so, so true! Lahore is also reeling from the same effects as Delhi. Despite informed citizenry raising the issue repeatedly, most of the ordinary population was least concerned because they have more serious issues to tackle. This is the gist of the dilemma.
This is going to be an unpopular opinion but here goes: I don’t think Delhi-ites care. They have always been consumers first and citizens next. The civic space doesn’t exist - ironic, given the socio-political history of Delhi. Unless they care enough about their own city, no one else can help. It’s true for all cities, but particularly for Delhi. One sees a lot more citizen action in Mumbai and Blr.
Agree that when it comes to the elite and middle class consumerism trumps civic concerns. For poor there is a long list of immediate and potentially devastating challenges that take priority over environmental concerns.
Very true. I used to be a pure bred capitalist, like most people today, and still am. But I am more educated today about the limits to growth in the current forms. Much has been written about the systemic solutions needed, which go beyond cleaning the ganga type ‘missions’ that have plagued this country post 1947. These aandolans are still the standard response and bring no real change. Unless we choose the short term pain that systemic change will bring, our cities may as well be ready for the long term pain that collapsing cities bring.
Sadly Mumbai is also going the Delhi way. Dust from construction, vehicles and more than a few small scale industries that use wood/coal. A car based plan to cater to the growing city and redevelopment/reconstruction of older structures without necessary dust control measures seems to be increasing the particles floating in the atmosphere.
"To understand what from a rich-country perspective is the developing world’s peculiar obduracy in reacting to air pollution one must take into consideration the fact that many Beijingers/Delhiites will die prematurely and/or suffer long years of bad health regardless of air pollution. They must grapple with a long list of possible ills including typhoid, dengue fever, tuberculosis and malnutrition, before becoming overly concerned with the cardiovascular implications of exposure to dirty air."
This is so, so true! Lahore is also reeling from the same effects as Delhi. Despite informed citizenry raising the issue repeatedly, most of the ordinary population was least concerned because they have more serious issues to tackle. This is the gist of the dilemma.
This is going to be an unpopular opinion but here goes: I don’t think Delhi-ites care. They have always been consumers first and citizens next. The civic space doesn’t exist - ironic, given the socio-political history of Delhi. Unless they care enough about their own city, no one else can help. It’s true for all cities, but particularly for Delhi. One sees a lot more citizen action in Mumbai and Blr.
Agree that when it comes to the elite and middle class consumerism trumps civic concerns. For poor there is a long list of immediate and potentially devastating challenges that take priority over environmental concerns.
Very true. I used to be a pure bred capitalist, like most people today, and still am. But I am more educated today about the limits to growth in the current forms. Much has been written about the systemic solutions needed, which go beyond cleaning the ganga type ‘missions’ that have plagued this country post 1947. These aandolans are still the standard response and bring no real change. Unless we choose the short term pain that systemic change will bring, our cities may as well be ready for the long term pain that collapsing cities bring.
Sadly Mumbai is also going the Delhi way. Dust from construction, vehicles and more than a few small scale industries that use wood/coal. A car based plan to cater to the growing city and redevelopment/reconstruction of older structures without necessary dust control measures seems to be increasing the particles floating in the atmosphere.
It’s terrible with huge long term consequences