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Delhi Air pollution: Smoke Intrusion from Farm Fires in Oct-Nov Lowest in 4 Years, Says CSE

No longer most effective have the selection of farm fires in Punjab and Haryana this season been the bottom since 2016, the nationwide capital additionally witnessed the least smoke intrusion from stubble burning all the way through October-November in 4 years, in line with a Centre for Science and Atmosphere research. Research of knowledge from SAFAR, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air high quality forecasting company, presentations that smoke from farm fires contributed to PM2.5 air pollution in Delhi on 53 days this 12 months, beginning October 12.

Smoke From Farm Fires In October-November In Delhi Lowest In 4 Years: Report

Not solely have the variety of farm fires in Punjab and Haryana this season been the bottom since 2016, the nationwide capital additionally witnessed the least smoke intrusion from stubble burning throughout October-November in 4 years, in accordance with a Centre for Science and Setting evaluation. Evaluation of knowledge from SAFAR, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air high quality forecasting company, exhibits that smoke from farm fires contributed to PM2.5 air pollution in Delhi on 53 days this yr, beginning October 12. The determine is decrease than the earlier three years when smoke intrusion was reported on 56-57 days however increased than the 2018 studying of 48 days. The best contribution this yr was 34 per cent on November 3. Final yr, the share of farm fires in Delhi’s PM 2.5 air pollution peaked to 48 per cent on November 7. The Centre for Science and Setting (CSE) mentioned stubble burning-related smokefall over Delhi relied on two main elements — the quantity and depth of farm fires and meteorological situations conducive for the transportation of the smoke to the nationwide capital. This October-November, not solely have the amount and depth of farm fires been comparatively decrease but additionally the meteorological situations much less conducive for transport of the smoke, the inexperienced assume tank mentioned. The CSE estimated that smoke from farm fires accounted for 4.1 tonnes of PM2.5 throughout October-November in Delhi. That is 37 per cent decrease than 6.4 tonnes of PM2.5 from stubble burning final yr and virtually half the 2020 determine (8 tonnes). The amount this yr can be considerably decrease than the 2019 determine (6.4 tonnes) — an indicator of the meteorological assist Delhi acquired as there have been fewer farm fires in 2019. In keeping with the Indian Agriculture Analysis Institute, Punjab, which accounts for the utmost circumstances of stubble burning yearly, reported simply 49,922 farm fires this season (September 15 to November 30) towards 71,304 final yr and 83,002 in 2020. The agrarian state logged 50,738 incidents of stubble burning in 2019; 59,684 in 2018; 67,079 in 2017 and 1,02,379 in 2016. Haryana logged 3,661 farm fires this season towards 6,987 in 2021 and 4,202 in 2020. The neighbouring state noticed 6,364 incidents of stubble burning in 2019; 9,225 in 2018; 13,085 in 2017 and 15,686 in 2016.

Delhi Pollution: Smoke Intrusion From Farm Fires In Oct-Nov Lowest In Four Years, Says CSE

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said stubble burning-related smokefall over Delhi depended on two major factors -- the number and intensity of farm fires and meteorological conditions conducive for the transportation of the smoke to the national capital. Not only have the number of farm fires in Punjab and Haryana this season been the lowest since 2016, the national capital also witnessed the least smoke intrusion from stubble burning during October-November in four years, according to a Centre for Science and Environment analysis. Analysis of data from SAFAR, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality forecasting agency, shows that smoke from farm fires contributed to PM2.5 pollution in Delhi on 53 days this year, starting October 12. The figure is lower than the previous three years when smoke intrusion was reported on 56-57 days but higher than the 2018 reading of 48 days. The highest contribution this year was 34 per cent on November 3. Last year, the share of farm fires in Delhi's PM 2.5 pollution peaked to 48 per cent on November 7. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said stubble burning-related smokefall over Delhi depended on two major factors -- the number and intensity of farm fires and meteorological conditions conducive for the transportation of the smoke to the national capital. This October-November, not only have the quantity and intensity of farm fires been comparatively lower but also the meteorological conditions less conducive for transport of the smoke, the green think tank said. The CSE estimated that smoke from farm fires accounted for 4.1 tonnes of PM2.5 during October-November in Delhi. This is 37 per cent lower than 6.4 tonnes of PM2.5 from stubble burning last year and almost half the 2020 figure (8 tonnes). The volume this year is also significantly lower than the 2019 figure (6.4 tonnes) -- an indicator of the meteorological help Delhi got as there were fewer farm fires in 2019. According to the Indian Agriculture Research Institute, Punjab, which accounts for the maximum cases of stubble burning every year, reported just 49,922 farm fires this season (September 15 to November 30) against 71,304 last year and 83,002 in 2020. The agrarian state logged 50,738 incidents of stubble burning in 2019; 59,684 in 2018; 67,079 in 2017 and 1,02,379 in 2016. Haryana logged 3,661 farm fires this season against 6,987 in 2021 and 4,202 in 2020. The neighbouring state saw 6,364 incidents of stubble burning in 2019; 9,225 in 2018; 13,085 in 2017 and 15,686 in 2016.

October-November period least polluted in Delhi in eight years, says report

The early phase of winter this year from October to November was the least polluted in Delhi in the past eight years, according to a report published by non-profit organisation Centre for Science and Environment. “Diwali falling in warmer October, lower incidents of crop fires that otherwise tips the local pollution over the dangerous levels, pre-emptive action based on pollution forecasting, and favourable meteorological conditions including extended rainfall in October, have all contributed towards bending of the early winter pollution curve,” the report said.

October-November period least polluted in Delhi in eight years, study by CSE finds

According to a study by the think tank Centre for Science and Environment, here are early signs of improvement in air quality in the first phase of this year’s winter in Delhi-NCR, says a new analysis by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). So far, the average level of PM2.5 in this region has been the lowest in the last eight years. Also, the average level in the major cities, that are usually more polluted, has been cleaner in the last three years. The winter, so far, has not recorded any smog episode (when air quality index remains severe for at least three consecutive days or more) in contrast to prolonged episodes during the previous winter. “Diwali in a warmer October, lower incidents of crop fires that otherwise tip the local pollution over dangerous levels, pre-emptive action based on pollution forecasting, and favourable meteorological conditions including extended rainfall in October, have all contributed towards bending of the early winter pollution curve. But there may be more spikeslater as has usually been observed in previous years. Stronger pre-emptive measures and deeper round the year action on local sources is needed to bring down the winter pollution to satisfactory levels,” says Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. “This winter has started on a cleaner note with five ‘good’ AQI days in the first two weeks of October. Smog episode eventshave not been recorded so far. As per SAFAR estimates, smoke contribution from crop burning activities to Delhi’s PM2.5 level has gone down to zero as of November 4, 2022 and its overall contribution to Delhi’s PM2.5 concentration has been considerably lesser this time,” says Avikal Somvanshi, senior programme manager, Urban Lab, CSE. The objective behind the analysis has been to understand the changing patterns of winter pollution. This also helps locate the winter season within the longer-term context of seasonal variations and annual trends in particulate pollution, says Somvanshi. Explaining the methodology and data sources behind the analysis, Somvanshi says: “This is an assessment of annual and seasonal trends in PM2.5 concentrations for the period October 1 to November 30 for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. This analysis is based on real time data available from currently working air quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR. A huge volume of data points have been cleaned and data gaps have been addressed based on the USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) methodology for this analysis, which covers 81 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) spread across Delhi-NCR.Meteorological data for the analysis is sourced from the Palam weather station of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Fire count data is sourced from NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System, specifically Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS). Estimates of contribution of farm stubble fire smoke to Delhi’s air quality is sourced from the Ministry of Earth Science’s System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). This is the first analysis of the third edition of Urban Lab’s Air Quality Tracker Initiative which was started in 2020-21 winter to study the impact of pandemic lockdowns on Delhi’s air quality.” Early phase of 2022 winter (October-November) was the least polluted in the last eight years in Delhi: Average PM2.5 levels across 37 functional CAAQMS stations of Delhi stood at 142 µg/m3 (microgramme per cubic metre) for the months of October and November. This is lowest level recorded since the city installed these stations in 2018. If data for the 10 oldest stations (working since 2014-15) is referred to, October-November of this year remains the least polluted in comparison. PM2.5 level this October-November has been 15 per cent and 18 per cent lower compared to October-November of 2018 from a city-wide average of 37 stations and 10 oldest stations, respectively. Levels have been 38 per cent lower compared to October-November of 2016 that was the worst autumn in the last eight years. All major cities of Delhi-NCR that are more polluted than smaller towns, have recorded least levels in the last three years: Ghaziabad’s October-November average PM2.5 this year is 36 per cent lower than the same period in 2020. Similarly, Greater Noida and Faridabad registered improvement of 28 per cent and 22 per cent, respectively. This is higher than Delhi’s city-wide improvement of 19 per cent in the same time frame. Gurugram showed the least improvement with a mere 15 per cent change. Nodia’s October-November average PM2.5 this year appears to be 40 per cent lower than the same period in 2020.However, it may be noted that one of Nodia’s CAAQM stations is reporting uncharacteristically low values this season. This needs to be examined. Delhi was the most polluted major city in NCR with an October-November average of 142 µg/m3. Gurugram with 134 µg/m3 and Ghaziabad with 131 µg/m3 were the next most polluted cities in the NCR, the CSE study finds.

अक्टूबर-नवंबर में पराली जलाने से निकलने वाला धुआं चार साल में सबसे कम : सीएसई

पंजाब और हरियाणा में इस मौसम में पराली जलाने की घटनाओं की संख्या 2016 के बाद सबसे कम रही, यहां तक कि राष्ट्रीय राजधानी में अक्टूबर-नवंबर के दौरान चार वर्षों में पराली जलाने से उत्पन्न धुआं सबसे कम देखा गया। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एन्वायरन्मेंट (सीएसई) के विश्लेषण में यह बात कही गई है। केंद्रीय पृथ्वी विज्ञान मंत्रालय की वायु गुणवत्ता पूर्वानुमान एजेंसी ‘सफर’ के आंकड़ों के विश्लेषण से पता चलता है कि 12 अक्टूबर से पराली जलाए जाने से उत्पन्न धुएं की वजह से प्रदूषक कणों-पीएम2.5 ने इस साल 53 दिन तक वायु प्रदूषण में योगदान दिया। यह आंकड़ा पिछले तीन वर्षों की तुलना में कम है जब 56-57 दिन तक पराली जलाने की वजह से हानिकारक धुंध होती थी, लेकिन यह 2018 के 48 दिनों के आंकड़े से अधिक है। पराली जलाए जाने से संबंधित धुएं का वायु प्रदूषण में योगदान इस साल सबसे ज्यादा तीन नवंबर को 34 फीसदी था, वहीं पिछले साल यह सात नवंबर को सर्वाधिक 48 फीसदी था। सीएसई ने कहा कि पराली जलाने से संबंधित धुएं में कमी दिल्ली में दो प्रमुख कारकों पर निर्भर करती है- पराली जलाने की घटनाओं की संख्या एवं तीव्रता तथा राष्ट्रीय राजधानी में धुएं के परिवहन के लिए अनुकूल मौसम स्थितियां। इसने कहा कि इस साल अक्टूबर-नवंबर में, न केवल पराली जलाने की घटनाओं की संख्या और तीव्रता तुलनात्मक रूप से कम रही, बल्कि धुएं के परिवहन के लिए मौसम संबंधी परिस्थितियां भी कम अनुकूल रहीं।

अक्टूबर-नवंबर में पराली जलाने से निकलने वाला धुआं चार साल में सबसे कम: सीएसई

नई दिल्ली। पंजाब और हरियाणा में इस मौसम में पराली जलाने की घटनाओं की संख्या 2016 के बाद सबसे कम रही, यहां तक कि राष्ट्रीय राजधानी में अक्टूबर-नवंबर के दौरान चार वर्षों में पराली जलाने से उत्पन्न धुआं सबसे कम देखा गया। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एन्वायरन्मेंट (सीएसई) के विश्लेषण में यह बात कही गई है। ये भी पढ़ें- कांग्रेस की रामगढ़ की विधायक ममता देवी को पांच साल की सजा, विधायकी भी जाएगी केंद्रीय पृथ्वी विज्ञान मंत्रालय की वायु गुणवत्ता पूर्वानुमान एजेंसी ‘सफर’ के आंकड़ों के विश्लेषण से पता चलता है कि 12 अक्टूबर से पराली जलाए जाने से उत्पन्न धुएं की वजह से प्रदूषक कणों-पीएम2.5 ने इस साल 53 दिन तक वायु प्रदूषण में योगदान दिया। यह आंकड़ा पिछले तीन वर्षों की तुलना में कम है जब 56-57 दिन तक पराली जलाने की वजह से हानिकारक धुंध होती थी, लेकिन यह 2018 के 48 दिनों के आंकड़े से अधिक है। पराली जलाए जाने से संबंधित धुएं का वायु प्रदूषण में योगदान इस साल सबसे ज्यादा तीन नवंबर को 34 फीसदी था, वहीं पिछले साल यह सात नवंबर को सर्वाधिक 48 फीसदी था। सीएसई ने कहा कि पराली जलाने से संबंधित धुएं में कमी दिल्ली में दो प्रमुख कारकों पर निर्भर करती है- पराली जलाने की घटनाओं की संख्या एवं तीव्रता तथा राष्ट्रीय राजधानी में धुएं के परिवहन के लिए अनुकूल मौसम स्थितियां। इसने कहा कि इस साल अक्टूबर-नवंबर में, न केवल पराली जलाने की घटनाओं की संख्या और तीव्रता तुलनात्मक रूप से कम रही, बल्कि धुएं के परिवहन के लिए मौसम संबंधी परिस्थितियां भी कम अनुकूल रहीं।

दिल्ली प्रदूषण: सीएसई का कहना है कि अक्टूबर-नवंबर में पराली जलाने से निकलने वाला धुआं चार साल में सबसे कम है

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट एनालिसिस के अनुसार, न केवल पंजाब और हरियाणा में इस सीजन में पराली जलाने की संख्या 2016 के बाद से सबसे कम रही है, बल्कि राष्ट्रीय राजधानी में चार साल में अक्टूबर-नवंबर में पराली जलाने से सबसे कम धुआं देखा गया है। केंद्रीय पृथ्वी विज्ञान मंत्रालय की वायु गुणवत्ता पूर्वानुमान एजेंसी SAFAR के आंकड़ों के विश्लेषण से पता चला है कि 12 अक्टूबर से इस साल 53 दिनों में दिल्ली में पराली जलाने के धुएं ने PM2.5 प्रदूषण में योगदान दिया है। यह संख्या पिछले तीन वर्षों की तुलना में कम है जब 56-57 दिनों में धूम्रपान की घुसपैठ की सूचना दी गई थी, लेकिन 2018 के 48 दिनों की तुलना में अधिक है। इस साल सबसे ज्यादा योगदान 3 नवंबर को 34 फीसदी रहा। पिछले साल, दिल्ली के पीएम 2.5 प्रदूषण में पराली जलाने की हिस्सेदारी 7 नवंबर को 48 प्रतिशत के चरम पर पहुंच गई थी। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) ने कहा कि दिल्ली में पुआल जलाने से संबंधित धुआं दो मुख्य कारकों पर निर्भर करता है – राष्ट्रीय राजधानी में धुएं के परिवहन के लिए खेत की आग की संख्या और तीव्रता और अनुकूल मौसम की स्थिति। ग्रीन थिंक टैंक ने कहा कि इस अक्टूबर-नवंबर में न केवल पराली जलाने की संख्या और तीव्रता अपेक्षाकृत कम है, बल्कि मौसम की स्थिति भी धुएं के परिवहन के लिए कम अनुकूल है। सीएसई का अनुमान है कि अक्टूबर-नवंबर के दौरान दिल्ली में 4.1 टन पीएम2.5 के लिए खेत में आग का धुआं जिम्मेदार है। यह पराली जलाने से पिछले साल के 6.4 टन पीएम2.5 के मुकाबले 37 फीसदी कम है और 2020 के आंकड़े (8 टन) से करीब आधा है। इस वर्ष की मात्रा भी 2019 के आंकड़े (6.4 टन) की तुलना में काफी कम है – दिल्ली की मौसम संबंधी सहायता का एक संकेतक है क्योंकि 2019 में कम खेतों में आग लगी थी। भारतीय कृषि अनुसंधान संस्थान, पंजाब के अनुसार, जहां हर साल पराली जलाने की सबसे ज्यादा घटनाएं होती हैं, इस सीजन (15 सितंबर से 30 नवंबर) में केवल 49,922 खेत में आग देखी गई है, जबकि पिछले साल 71,304 और 2020 में 83,002 थी। कृषि प्रधान राज्यों में 2019 में पराली जलाने की 50,738 घटनाएं हुईं; 2018 में 59,684; 2017 में 67,079 और 2016 में 1,02,379। हरियाणा में इस सीजन में 3,661 खेत में आग लगने की घटनाएं देखी गईं, जबकि 2021 में 6,987 और 2020 में 4,202 आग लगी थी। पड़ोसी राज्य में 2019 में पराली जलाने की 6,364 घटनाएं हुईं; 2018 में 9,225; 2017 में 13,085 और 2016 में 15,686।

अक्टूबर-नवंबर में पराली जलाने से निकलने वाला धुआं 4 साल में सबसे कम, प्रदूषण पर कितना पड़ा असर, देख लीजिए

नई दिल्ली : पंजाब और हरियाणा में इस मौसम में पराली जलाने की घटनाओं की संख्या 2016 के बाद सबसे कम रही, यहां तक कि राष्ट्रीय राजधानी में अक्टूबर-नवंबर के दौरान चार वर्षों में पराली जलाने से उत्पन्न धुआं सबसे कम देखा गया। सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एन्वायरन्मेंट (सीएसई) के विश्लेषण में यह बात कही गई है। केंद्रीय पृथ्वी विज्ञान मंत्रालय की वायु गुणवत्ता पूर्वानुमान एजेंसी ‘सफर’ के आंकड़ों के विश्लेषण से पता चलता है कि 12 अक्टूबर से पराली जलाए जाने से उत्पन्न धुएं की वजह से प्रदूषक कणों-पीएम2.5 ने इस साल 53 दिन तक वायु प्रदूषण में योगदान दिया। पराली जलाने की वजह से हानिकारक धुंध यह आंकड़ा पिछले तीन वर्षों की तुलना में कम है जब 56-57 दिन तक पराली जलाने की वजह से हानिकारक धुंध होती थी, लेकिन यह 2018 के 48 दिनों के आंकड़े से अधिक है। पराली जलाए जाने से संबंधित धुएं का वायु प्रदूषण में योगदान इस साल सबसे ज्यादा तीन नवंबर को 34 फीसदी था, वहीं पिछले साल यह सात नवंबर को सर्वाधिक 48 फीसदी था। दिल्ली की साफ हवा ने तोड़ा 8 साल का रेकॉर्ड, अक्टूबर-नवंबर महीने में औसत AQI रहा 142 धुएं में कमी दिल्ली में दो प्रमुख कारकों पर निर्भर सीएसई ने कहा कि पराली जलाने से संबंधित धुएं में कमी दिल्ली में दो प्रमुख कारकों पर निर्भर करती है- पराली जलाने की घटनाओं की संख्या एवं तीव्रता तथा राष्ट्रीय राजधानी में धुएं के परिवहन के लिए अनुकूल मौसम स्थितियां। इसने कहा कि इस साल अक्टूबर-नवंबर में, न केवल पराली जलाने की घटनाओं की संख्या और तीव्रता तुलनात्मक रूप से कम रही, बल्कि धुएं के परिवहन के लिए मौसम संबंधी परिस्थितियां भी कम अनुकूल रहीं।

CSE analysis finds Delhi-NCR winter pollution levels down in October-November

The first phase of this year’s winter in the Delhi-national capital region (NCR) has shown early signs of improvement in air quality, according to Delhi-based non-profit the Centre for Science and Environment. More in details- The average levels of fine particulate matter (PM) went down to 142 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m3) for October and November. This is the lowest level recorded since the city installed these stations in 2018. The fine particulate levels in the national capital this October-November were 15 per cent and 18 per cent lower compared to October-November of 2018 from a city-wide average of 37 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQM) and 10 older stations, respectively. Delhi was the most polluted major city in NCR, with an October-November average of 142 µg/m3. Gurugram, with 134 µg/m3 and Ghaziabad, with 131 µg/m3, followed the national capital in the list. The total number of farm stubble fires reported this year from Punjab, Haryana and Delhi was 37 per cent and 42 per cent lower than the October-November of 2021. About the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): The Commission was first formed by an ordinance in October 2020. The erstwhile Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, or EPCA had been dissolved to make way for the Commission. The Commission is a statutory authority. The Commission will supersede bodies such as the central and state pollution control boards of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan. In 2021, the Parliament approved the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Bill. Composition: Chairperson: To be chaired by a government official of the rank of Secretary or Chief Secretary. The chairperson will hold the post for three years or until s/he attains the age of 70 years. It will have members from several Ministries as well as representatives from the stakeholder States. It will have experts from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Civil Society. Powers and functions: It will have the powers to issue directions to these state governments on issues pertaining to air pollution. It will entertain complaints as it deems necessary for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the air in the NCR and adjoining areas. It will also lay down parameters for control of air pollution. It will also be in charge of identifying violators, monitoring factories and industries and any other polluting unit in the region, and will have the powers to shut down such units. It will also have the powers to overrule directives issued by the state governments in the region, that may be in violation of pollution norms.

Delhi pollution: Smoke intrusion from farm fires in Oct-Nov lowest in 4 yrs

Not only have the number of farm fires in Punjab and Haryana this season been the lowest since 2016, the national capital also witnessed the least smoke intrusion from stubble burning during October-November in four years, according to a Centre for Science and Environment analysis. Analysis of data from SAFAR, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality forecasting agency, shows that smoke from farm fires contributed to PM2.5 pollution in Delhi on 53 days this year, starting October 12. The figure is lower than the previous three years when smoke intrusion was reported on 56-57 days but higher than the 2018 reading of 48 days. The highest contribution this year was 34 per cent on November 3. Last year, the share of farm fires in Delhi's PM 2.5 pollution peaked to 48 per cent on November 7. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said stubble burning-related smokefall over Delhi depended on two major factors -- the number and intensity of farm fires and meteorological conditions conducive for the transportation of the smoke to the national capital. This October-November, not only have the quantity and intensity of farm fires been comparatively lower but also the meteorological conditions less conducive for transport of the smoke, the green think tank said. The CSE estimated that smoke from farm fires accounted for 4.1 tonnes of PM2.5 during October-November in Delhi. This is 37 per cent lower than 6.4 tonnes of PM2.5 from stubble burning last year and almost half the 2020 figure (8 tonnes). The volume this year is also significantly lower than the 2019 figure (6.4 tonnes) -- an indicator of the meteorological help Delhi got as there were fewer farm fires in 2019. According to the Indian Agriculture Research Institute, Punjab, which accounts for the maximum cases of stubble burning every year, reported just 49,922 farm fires this season (September 15 to November 30) against 71,304 last year and 83,002 in 2020. The agrarian state logged 50,738 incidents of stubble burning in 2019; 59,684 in 2018; 67,079 in 2017 and 1,02,379 in 2016. Haryana logged 3,661 farm fires this season against 6,987 in 2021 and 4,202 in 2020. The neighbouring state saw 6,364 incidents of stubble burning in 2019; 9,225 in 2018; 13,085 in 2017 and 15,686 in 2016.

Delhi AQI Today: Breathe freely, you are in Delhi! Relief from pollution, AQI of all areas improved – AQI Delhi air quality improve today 14 December pollution updates aqi moderate CPCB data Safar mausam Updates lbs

Delhi’s air seems to be getting better continuously for a few days. On the one hand, where there used to be a shadow of deep smog in the capital these days, now the sky is being seen clearly. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 157 at around 7 am today i.e. on 14th December, which falls in the moderate category. The air quality of all areas of Delhi has improved.

CSE analysis finds Delhi-NCR winter pollution levels down in October-November

The first phase of this year’s winter in the Delhi-national capital region (NCR) has shown early signs of improvement in air quality, according to Delhi-based non-profit the Centre for Science and Environment. A relatively cleaner Diwali this year gave the pollution-laden national capital a much-needed breather. The average levels of fine particulate matter (PM) went down to 142 microgrammes per cubic metre (µg/m3) for October and November. This is the lowest level recorded since the city installed these stations in 2018, the non-profit noted. Delhi recorded five good air days, thanks to the heavy rainfall in October this year. This number is the highest in the last five years. A good air day is when the PM2.5 levels are less than 30 µg/m3. Last year, there was one good air day, while no good air days were recorded in the winters of 2018, 2019 and 2020. Read more: Will PM 2.5 levels in Delhi-NCR go back to pre-pandemic levels this winter? Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE said:

COP27: A mirage in the desert

It’s a sign of sheer desperation to say that the world has achieved “something” at the climate change conference of the parties (COP27) that concluded recently in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm el-Sheikh. The fact is COP27 should go down as the worst event in the history of the three-decade-long negotiations to find ways to mitigate emissions that are taking us to catastrophic damages. This meeting was a grand spectacle—almost like a mirage in the desert. It created a sense of hyper action when it was about reversing the little gains made till now to combat this existential threat. I was one of the 45,000-odd people at this conference. What struck me was that it was actually designed to take the heat off the negotiations. The organisers—The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat and our host, the Egyptian government—had set up hundreds of country and agency pavilions, each with small conference rooms where five to six events were held every day, each participated by 30-50 people. There was so much going on through the day that negotiations, the real business of a COP, became the sideshow. It had little influence on what governments should have agreed upon. So, do not be surprised when I say that the final decisions at COP27 were either no-decisions—all crucial texts remained heavily bracketed (UN language for when parties disagree) until they were finally agreed upon in the early morning of November 20—or, to put it mildly, regressive. We just do not have the courage to call it out. Take the issue of loss and damage fund, seen as the big achievement of COP27. The Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan “expresses deep concern regarding the significant financial costs associated with loss and damage for developing countries” associated with the adverse effects of climate change. The Plan then goes on to say that it will establish institutional arrangements for addressing loss and damage which will catalyse technical assistance to developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to climate change. The only “decision” is that by 2023, it will select the host country for the secretariat. In this way, there is no agreement to create a fund; no agreement who will pay for it; but there is a new categorisation that all this will be directed towards countries that are particularly vulnerable. Who and what are they? This is where the politics begins. Should bigger developing countries like India also pay other developing countries for loss and damage? This question was raised repeatedly at COP27 and, of course, led to pushback. Then, does India qualify as particularly vulnerable because it has mountains and coastlines? This will be contested at the next round of negotiations and will go nowhere, even as natural disasters reach catastrophic levels and deeply damage people and economies. This is why the world needed to return to a rule-based system of climate governance. We know that the growing intensity and frequency of weather disasters are linked to climate change, which in turn is linked to the stock of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Therefore, it is a simple proposition, all well established in law, that the country responsible for the pollution must pay. This is why loss and damage discussions are about liability and compensation. In this rule-based scenario, it would be established that a country like India would also contribute to the fund, but only when it has crossed a certain agreed threshold of greenhouse gas emissions. This rule-based governance was not convenient to the big polluters. So, it was taken apart in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Now, there is no agreed way to differentiate between the polluters, and this gives a country like China a free pass. China is yesterday’s United States; its per capita emissions will be equal to those of the US in 2030. It should have been moved to the category of polluters. But it continues to hide behind the Group of 77—all developing countries. Frankly, the Group of 77 also finds the power of China convenient for it to take shelter under. The zero-sum game continues. At our cost. But why do I say COP27 was regressive? This is because for the first time the agreement has decided to differentiate between the white and black fossil fuels. At the very last moment, it added the term “low-emission energy” in the clean energy mix—a tacit way of saying that natural gas is cleaner because it emits half the carbon dioxide of coal. This is what the European Union did when it baptised natural gas as clean. And we know that this part of the world, which requires deep decarbonisation, is desperately digging for more natural gas in all parts of the world, including the host country Egypt. This is not alright. The world is speeding towards breaching the 1.5 °C temperature rise guard rail. At 1.1 °C, we are seeing such massive devastation and human pain. We cannot be parties to this procrastination and lack of intent. The least we can do is to call it out for what it is: A massive and tragic failure to act.