Celebrating UN International Day – Clean Air for Blue Skies

Published in: CASC

9th September, 2021

To celebrate the UN International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, SwitchON Foundation organised a webinar was organized with speakers from eminent institutions like the University of Chicago, NUJS, IIM Calcutta, XLRI, KIIT, CU, XISS, etc. sharing their thoughts on the prominence of youth in mitigating Air Pollution by taking an active role in advocating for Clean Air.

Prof. Dr. Nirmal Kanti Chakrabarti, Vice Chancellor of National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) inaugurated the Clean Air Champions Cohort, launched by SwitchON Foundation in partnership with WWF, Greenpeace, Earth Day Network (EDN) Y-East, etc which comprises a group of individuals dedicated and passionate about making a difference in the present Air Quality across the states of West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand. “Air Pollution – We don’t see it yet; it is there, we don’t feel it, yet we have problems associated with it as a significant human health issue.” said Prof. Nirmal Kanti Chakrabarti.

After the successful completion of the first batch of cohorts that took part in Cycle awareness campaigns to bring back cycles, workshops and events like plantation drives, street plays, craft competitions, drawing competitions, online workshops we will be launching the second batch with a plan to work on. The cohort will comprise youth from West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha who are keen to bring a reformative change in their lives and the environment. They will be trained through workshops and be given the required support in terms of resources and mentorship to take up projects to mitigate air pollution in the three states.

“Clean Air is the birthright of our future progeny as much as it was that of our forefathers” Prof. Ranjan Mitter of IIM Calcutta. The recent Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) released by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) for 2019 revealed that Kolkata has the second highest life expectancy loss, which stood at 7.3 years after Delhi (9.7 years) among the Indian metro cities in 2019. Kolkata is also one of the seven non-attainment cities in West Bengal. A non-attainment city is one that does not meet the prescribed air quality standards set by the Union environment ministry.

Bad air days are when the air quality index (AQI) – pollutant measuring indicator – rises beyond the safe limit for any location falling either under the poor, very poor or hazardous AQI levels.

“It’s time that we realize that air pollution is cutting our lives short. It’s time that the health impacts of air pollution become a subject of discussion at our homes, schools, and offices. It’s time to create conversations that can create lasting change,” said Ashirbad S. Raha, EPIC India, University of Chicago. Human beings are facing an existential crisis because of their own activities and Professor Raghu Tata of XLRI Jamshedpur spoke about the roles of individuals and making a change in the demand side of the situation, “Consumption is increasing and is the root cause of the global emissions on air pollutants”. As individuals it is important to address and understand our own consumption patterns and the carbon footprint that we are leaving behind.

Stating that the air quality index (AQI) was created to make the general public aware city-based Dipankar Saha, who was former Additional Director, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said, “Urban local bodies must issue health warnings when the AQI for a certain region crosses the safe limit to ensure the public can take appropriate decisions to protect themselves. It has to be a mandatory requirement for all. Thus the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) has its focus right at the ULB level.”

Several studies have already shown the impacts of air pollution on not only respiratory organs but also the brain and even reproductive organs. Recently a first pan-India study conducted by scientists from four institutes across the country found a direct correlation between air pollution. The study stated that areas with poor air quality and higher emissions of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 are more likely to have Covid-19 infections and related deaths.

“We have to take climate change beyond talks, debates and street campaigns and make it actionable. We can’t wait for leadership of Governments to agree, but we as people have to take the lead.” said Dr. Saroj K Mahapatra, KIIT SOM.

—————————————————————————————————-

About International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies: was declared by the United Nations General Assembly on September 7 in recognition of the growing interest in clean air among the international community, and the need to continue improving air quality to safeguard human health. “Clean Air for All” was the subject for the first ever International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, which was introduced last year. “Healthy Air, Healthy Planet” is this year’s topic for International Day of Clean Air, which highlights the health implications of air pollution, particularly during COVID-19’s pandemic. A healthy air environment is a top priority, but the discourse should also include climate change, human and planetary health, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Applications are open for Jharkhand ,Odisha and West Bengal

Apply Now

We are sharing the selective media articles published here :

UNI

Odisha Diary

Odisha Ray

The Business Bytes

The Times of Bengal

Daily Hunt (TOB)

Odisha News

North East Nation

Meghalaya Monitor

Insightipedia

Songoti Bengali

No focus keyword set.

How do you feel?

Name*

Email*

Name*

Email*

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Celebrating UN International Day – Clean Air for Blue Skies

Apply Now

How do you feel?

Stay Engaged with these Reads

SwitchON Foundation organizes Annual event ‘Move for Earth Symposium’ – A multifaceted Exploration of a Greener Tomorrow

Empowering Farmers: Workshop Promotes DRE Tech and Government Schemes Integration

Innovative Technologies and Policies Set to Transform the Energy Landscape: Key Stakeholders Gather to Drive Renewable Energy Growth in West Bengal

Maharashtra’s Agricultural Future Brightens: Farmers Embrace Organic Inputs and Regenerative Techniques

Farmers Unite for Sustainable Future: Climate Resilient Agriculture and Distributed Renewable Energy at the Forefront

Empowering North Bengal’s Youth with Green Skills

Experts Unite to Address Air Pollution’s Health Impacts inspiring Urgent Action

Championing Women Entrepreneurs: International Cooperative Day Showcases Small Business Impact and Opportunities

Championing Women Entrepreneurs: MSME Day Showcases Small Business Impact & Opportunities

Accelerating Clean Transport: Kolkata Launches Eastern India’s First-of-its-kind Electric Truck

70% of Maharashtra Vulnerable to Climate-Induced Droughts: Farmers Unite for Solutions

30% of Odisha’s Soil Degraded: Youth, Women Entrepreneurs, Farmers Unite for Solutions

68.98% of Jharkhand’s land degraded: Youth, Women Entrepreneurs, Farmers Unite for Solutions

24% of West Bengal’s Soil Degraded: Youth, Women Entrepreneurs, Farmers Unite for Solutions

JEPC & SwitchON Foundation partner to empower students to boost Environmental Education in Jharkhand

SwitchON Foundation Recognized as Top 10 Most Impactful NGOs of the Year 2024

Heatwave Havoc in April: A month of record-breaking temperatures

As election days draw near call for Eco-friendly poll campaigning grows louder

Empowering Communities: Krishi Mela cum Buyer Seller Meet at Nadia

Cultivating Prosperity: Rural Women’s Empowerment through a Buyer Seller Meet at #MoveForEarth Symposium

SwitchON Foundation organizes Annual event #MoveForEarth Symposium – A multifaceted Exploration of a Greener Tomorrow

Kolkata’s Cultural Heritage faces threat due to Air Pollution & Climate Change

XISS & SwitchON Foundation came together for ‘Move for Earth Symposium 2024’

Transformative Agricultural Experience for Farmers for #MoveForEarth

#MoveForEarth Cycle Yatra Sparks Sustainable Change in Deogarh, Promoting Agriculture Innovation, Waste Management

#MoveForEarth Cycle Yatra Spurs Climate Action & Sustainable Practices in Giridih

#MoveForEarth Ignites Environmental Action in Dhanbad, Showcasing Technovation & Sustainability Initiatives

#MoveForEarth Initiative Gains Momentum as Jharkhand Leg of Cycle Yatra Reaches Bokaro

Flag off Move for Earth in Jharkhand to celebrate and inspire Climate Action

Multi Stakeholder Meet on Environmental Sustainability with special focus on Renewable Energy, Waste Management & Green steels

Move for Earth launch to celebrate & inspire Climate Action in Jharkhand

Cycle Yatra across North Bengal to celebrate and inspire Climate Action

Workshop on Clean Energy Solutions for Small Tea Growers: Equipping Community for a Greener Future

Move for Earth launch to celebrate & inspire Climate Action in North Bengal

Inauguration of First Millet Cafe by SHG women in Hura, Purulia

Driving Agricultural Sustainability: Multi Stakeholder Meet on Solar-Powered Solutions & Sustainable Farming Practices

Doctors issue Urgent Health Advisory on the eve of National Pollution Prevention Day in Bhubaneswar

Doctors issue Urgent Health Advisory on the eve of National Pollution Prevention Day in Ranchi

Doctors issue Urgent Health Advisory on the eve of National Pollution Prevention Day in Kolkata

Children Walk for their Right to Breathe Clean Air Amid Child Rights Week in Bhubaneswar

Children Walk for their Right to Breathe Clean Air Amid Child Rights Week in Ranchi

XISS and SwitchON Forge Strategic Partnership for Holistic Rural Development

Children Walk for their Right to Breathe Clean Air Amid Child Rights Week in Dhanbad

Children Walk for their Right to Breathe Clean Air Amid Child Rights Week in Asansol

Children Walk for their Right to Breathe Clean Air Amid Child Rights Week in Bardhaman

Children Walk for their Right to Breathe Clean Air Amid Child Rights Week in Durgapur

Children Walk for their Right to Breathe Clean Air Amid Child Rights Week in Kolkata

Breath of Fresh Air : Celebrating a Smoke-Free Diwali in Odisha

Breath of Fresh Air : Celebrating a Smoke-Free Diwali in Jharkhand

Breath of Fresh Air : Celebrating a Smoke-Free Diwali in West Bengal

Ranchi & Dhanbad: Pre-Diwali Air Quality & An Impending Predicament

Bhubaneswar & Angul: Pre-Diwali Air Quality & An Impending Predicament

Kolkata: Pre-Diwali Air Quality & An Impending Predicament

Children & Youth unite Unveiling artistic talent: Inspiring acts of Environment Conservation

Promoting Sustainability & Ecology through Durga Pujas – Jharkhand

Promoting Sustainability & Ecology through Durga Pujas – West Bengal

Special Tram Jatra sets the stage for Eco-friendly Durga Puja celebrations

Promoting Sustainable Practices in Durga Puja Idol Preparation

Environment Groups Meet to discuss Siliguri’s Air Pollution

Distributed Renewable Energy Expo: Igniting a Greener Future

Towards Sustainable Mobility: A Roundtable Discussion on empowering Auto Unions for transition to electric vehicles

Hon’ble Governor urges citizens to embrace Sustainable Transportation

Durgapur targets 10% reduction in Particulate Pollution by 2024-25

Move for Earth Global Cycling Crusade urging urgent Climate Action

Countdown to Change: Climate Clock’s urgent reminder of our collective responsibility for positive action

Waste isn’t waste until we waste it – Launch of Waste Management Program in Puri

City Chapter Meet organized for Clean Air Action Plan in Bhubaneswar

Driving Sustainability through Green Steels: Stakeholder Meet

Pedal for Green Commute – World Bicycle Day

Odisha Schools follow circular economy to mark the initiation of Inter School Clean Air Championship

Jharkhand Schools follow circular economy to mark the initiation of Inter School Clean Air Championship

West Bengal Schools follow circular economy to mark the initiation of Inter School Clean Air Championship

SwitchON Foundation & Department of Agriculture, West Bengal organizes District Level Millet Awareness Workshop

City Chapter Meet organized for Clean Air Action Plan in Cuttack

SwitchON Foundation installs a Plastic Free Stall during Rath Yatra

Environment Groups Meet to discuss Howrah’s Air Pollution