The “Great Fog of London” which caused the deaths of 4,000 to 12,000 people, could be the fate of other major cities if no action is taken.

If the problem of air pollution continues to worsen, the world’s major cities could experience the fate of London in 1952. According to statistics released by London’s largest waste management company, Junk Bunk rubbish removal, up to 12,000 people are estimated. that they died from the dense fog that covered the city in 1952.

On December 5 of that year, a high-pressure weather system caused cold air to be trapped under warm air. As a result, emissions from factories and household fires could not be released into the atmosphere and remained trapped near ground level, producing the worst fog in history caused by pollution.

Studies say that cold air, higher levels of fuel used for heating, polluted cold fog and smoke as a result of pollutants trapped at ground level caused a major disaster for the environment. If the necessary measures are not taken, the deadly incident known as the “Great Fog of London” could be the fate of other major cities in the future. During the “Great Fog of London”, around 4,000 to 12,000 people lost their lives within five days, mostly children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems.

Defines air pollution as an increase in harmful substances in the air due to pollutants released into the atmosphere as a result of human activities and natural occurrences. This is a serious problem that negatively affects the lives of living things in general and causes economic losses as well as physical damage.

Air pollution causes about 7 million deaths each year and 9 out of 10 people breathe polluted air. About 1 million species of animals and plants are at risk of extinction as a result of abusive use of resources. People can improve air quality by using energy sources more efficiently, using more renewable energy, avoiding unnecessary consumption and reducing waste.

“Extracting and burning fossil fuels that cause increased carbon emissions into the atmosphere is causing climate change,” said Patricia Mallam, an environmental activist and 350.org representative in the Pacific region.

She also says that air pollution has increased the power and frequency of natural disasters such as droughts and floods, and has caused the extinction of living species and the spread of common diseases which can lead to the “collapse of entire ecosystems.” “If nothing is done immediately to reduce carbon emissions.”

“Governments must commit to immediately stop all forms of support for the fossil fuel industry and accelerate a fair and equitable transition to 100 per cent renewable energy for all. Stop all new coal, oil and gas projects. gas, “she says.

Construction, agriculture and industrial activities

Speaking of the situation in the capital of India, New Delhi, which was ranked as the most polluted city in the world based on the air quality meter AirVisual based in Switzerland. Mallam says the air quality in this city is at a “dangerous” level.

The air quality index at the US Embassy in New Delhi was at a “dangerous” level of 497 on November 11, with levels of PM 2.5 particles that could reach deep into the lungs, of nearly 700 in parts of the city, which is more than 10 times the recommended safe limit of 60 for PM 2.5 particles, ”she says.

Explaining the reasons for the situation in New Delhi, she says that this is caused by various factors such as agricultural activities, as every year during this period in neighbouring countries areas are burned to clear the fields.

“This, in combination with vehicle emissions, emissions from industrial activities and construction has contributed to the increase in air pollution,” she added.

Vidit Baya, an 18-year-old activist, has shared his experience on the issue of air pollution in India.

Noting that the destruction of nature made him part of climate activism, followed by clean-up projects, tree planting and membership in the Indian branch of the “Fridays For Future” movement started by Swedish teenage activist Greta Thunberg, he says, urges leaders to move towards sustainability and promote mass production of renewable resources.

“Air pollution not only affects people but also leads to the generation of various natural disasters that the world is facing today. Our activities have put the future of our generation at risk and we are not doing enough to address it. this, “he says.

Speaking about the Indian government’s activities to tackle climate change, he says that although some positive steps have been taken such as banning single-use plastics and launching the “Swachh Bharat Mission”, a nationwide campaign for the period 2014-2019 which aims to promote cleanliness and a greener environment, according to him, still has major environmental problems.

“The problem of pollution in India is growing due to the lack of strict law enforcement and the growing demand for resources. Our capital New Delhi has in some cases been called the ‘gas chamber’ because of the dangerous air it has had. “Health emergencies have been declared, schools and institutions have been closed for several days and people have been advised not to leave their homes,” Baya said.

Stressing that the northern part of India is the most affected part of the country, he says public infrastructure needs to be improved and modified in order to reduce resource consumption and emit less carbon to the environment.

“We as young people are raising our voices against those who think we will have a second chance, against those who think they will ‘eat money or coal’, against those who want to damage ‘our house’,” says Baya.