Lancet Study - Pollution Driven Deaths in 2019 is Highest in India
Globally, pollution of any type caused 9million deaths in 2019 (one in six deaths worldwide).
India caused 9.8lakh deaths due to air pollution. Household air pollution contributed another 6.1 lakhs deaths.
Despite the enormous health, social and economic impacts of pollution, pollution prevention is largely overlooked in international development agenda. Low and middle income countries bear the brunt of this burden.
There exists a well-documented rise in public concern about pollution and the resulting health effects. But attention and funding rise is minimal.
Biomass burning in households, coal combustion and crop burning, taken in the order, are the largest air pollution causing deaths in India. India's PM2.5 pollution remain above WHO guidelines in above 90% area of the country.
Presence of a strong centralised administrative system that can drive air pollution reduction efforts with consequent improvements in air quality is limited and uneven.
South Korea, for example has established a research facility for the localization of LNG and cryogenic equipments. Calling it a `cornerstone' for the development of cryogenic technology in South Korea, the facility team members aim to contribute to the independence of domestic cryogenic technology. more
India caused 9.8lakh deaths due to air pollution. Household air pollution contributed another 6.1 lakhs deaths.
Despite the enormous health, social and economic impacts of pollution, pollution prevention is largely overlooked in international development agenda. Low and middle income countries bear the brunt of this burden.
There exists a well-documented rise in public concern about pollution and the resulting health effects. But attention and funding rise is minimal.
Biomass burning in households, coal combustion and crop burning, taken in the order, are the largest air pollution causing deaths in India. India's PM2.5 pollution remain above WHO guidelines in above 90% area of the country.
Presence of a strong centralised administrative system that can drive air pollution reduction efforts with consequent improvements in air quality is limited and uneven.
South Korea, for example has established a research facility for the localization of LNG and cryogenic equipments. Calling it a `cornerstone' for the development of cryogenic technology in South Korea, the facility team members aim to contribute to the independence of domestic cryogenic technology. more
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Asian Buyers are price-sensitive, not so much air-quality sensitive. Use of natural gas contributes to enhance air-quality. If domestic supplies are not adequate, import is the option. Natural gas can be imported as LNG. Energy markets are volatile. Price sensitive buyers can be effectively locked out of the LNG markets for several years, unable to compete on price basis, say with European markets. Lack of affordable LNG can also raise issues that LNG import assets, such terminals, pipelines(through which regasified natural gas can be carried) & gas fired power plants face the risks of being underutilized and stranded because of the lack of affordable LNG(the fuel). Gas fired power plants donot face issues related to fly ash and other pollutions as in case of coal combustion. Recent few incidents of fires and software with electric vehicles shows more R&D investments need to be carried out for battery powered transport system. Li-ion battery is an imported item and so has import cost associated with them. Import restrictions on renewable energy source items, to encourage domestic supplies encourages less efficient solar panels etc. to be used that reduces output. If demand rises, renewable output cannot match the required supply. Efficiency drop due to heating of solar panels also raises the issue if they can be deployed anywhere as floating solar can show higher efficiency as their bottom are nearer the water. more
May 23
This change is merely the same, only more thereof. Instead of running companies set up by capitalists within the government's set prioritisation parameters wherein both benefit equitably, such as cleaning up the air being the immediate concern, government seems as the facilitator for private profit. Private individuals also are buyers, read consumers, with money, so they together decide the priorities furthering their personal wealth at the common man's expense. more
May 21
India, the world's third biggest oil importer and consumer, is struggling like much of the rest of the world with inflation at multi-year highs, and is keen to cut its import bills and protect consumers from soaring fuel price. Indian refiners are negotiating oil deal with Russia to import millions of barrels per month at a time when many Western countries have hit Russia with unprecedented sanctions in an attempt to limit funds for waging war. Comments on the quantity and discounts under negotiations by Indian refiners maynot be available due to grounds on `commercial interest of both parties'. Encouragement to SUV makers thus get a boost to continue with design and engineering SUV models specifically for India. For example, Jeep India, part of the Stellantis group has launched its new SUV Meridian with an introductory price beginning from Rs.29.9lakhs (ex-showroom). The delivery may begin in June,this year. The SUV(company's first 3-row SUV) comes with a 2-litre turbo diesel engine with 9-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmission options. Jeep Meridian is the third product in their portfolio - Made in India, and may be followed by Grand Cherokee later this year. The additional technology cost to meet RDE(real driving emissions) would impact the commercial viability of smaller vehicles more adversely, as the percentage impact in acquisition cost is higher in the compact segment, than larger vehicle segments. India is facing its worst power crisis as heatwave bakes its vast swatches, causing widespread power outages. A surge in air-conditioning(AC) demand due to unrelenting heatwave this year, and an economy recovery due to removal of all COVID-19 related curbs on industrial activities, pushed power demand to record highs. At night AC demand surges when solar supplies stop, contributing to widening the gap between power supplied and consumption. The crisis has pushed India to reverse its policy to slash thermal coal demand and continue importing coal and reopen more coal mines, previously found financially unsustainable. more
May 20
Low income populations even within this country bear the brunt of the pollution. Private vehicles now run on diesel, which powers cars, mostly SUVs owned by the rich. Rich for themselves get piped cooking gas, and air conditioned environs within which they exist, but what about the poor! Inequality in India makes such a headline story above India's reality. Government is doing her bit by converting all public mass transport to CNG or electricity - metro rail, but private individuals too must take the initiative. Polluters should pay. more
May 20
