#170 – Santosh Harish on how air pollution is responsible for ~12% of global deaths — and how to get that number down
Nov 1, 2023
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Santosh Harish, leader of Open Philanthropy’s grantmaking in South Asian air quality, reveals shocking truths about air pollution, responsible for ~12% of global deaths. He discusses the devastating health impacts of PM 2.5, with particular focus on municipal waste burning in developing cities. The conversation touches on ineffective waste management practices, the importance of improved public policies, and innovative solutions to combat air pollution. Harish also considers the role of the judiciary and highlights the urgent need for collaboration to create cleaner air.
Municipal waste burning in many cities in the Global South is a major contributor to air pollution, highlighting the poor delivery of public services.
Air pollution in India has significant impacts on public health, causing diseases such as heart disease, lung cancer, and strokes.
The Indo-Gangetic Plain in Pakistan, north India, and Bangladesh is particularly affected by air pollution due to geographical and climatic factors.
To mitigate air pollution, cleaner technologies, emission reduction, clean energy promotion, and improved waste management are essential in India.
Addressing air pollution in India requires concerted efforts across multiple states and sectors, as well as government initiatives and international collaborations.
Measures to reduce air pollution include improving energy efficiency, promoting cleaner fuel use, regulating industrial emissions, and improving transportation systems.
Deep dives
Air pollution in India is a significant public health concern
Air pollution in India is a major public health issue, with high levels of particulate matter and other pollutants causing significant harm. The annual average levels of air pollution in India are much higher than the recommended safety standards, with some areas experiencing severe pollution spikes. The Indo-Gangetic Plain, spanning across Pakistan, north India, and Bangladesh, is particularly affected, with high levels of pollution due to geographical and climatic factors. Approximately 76% of Indians breathe air that is worse than national standards. The impact of air pollution is felt not just in urban areas but also in rural regions, where household burning of solid fuels adds to the pollution burden.
Air pollution's impact on health and cognition
Air pollution in India significantly impacts public health, resulting in increased mortality and morbidity. It is known to cause various health issues, including heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lower respiratory infections, strokes, and type 2 diabetes. Recent research also suggests that air pollution has negative effects on cognitive function and productivity. The harmful impact of air pollution on health and cognition is not limited to India but is a global concern. Exposure to particulate matter and other pollutants can lead to both acute and long-term health problems, affecting quality of life and life expectancy.
Regional variations and challenges in addressing air pollution in India
Air pollution levels in India vary regionally, with the Indo-Gangetic Plain experiencing particularly high levels of pollution. The geography and climate of this region contribute to the accumulation and trapping of pollution, leading to severe air quality issues. Northern India, including states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Delhi, is heavily impacted by air pollution. The sheer population density in India exacerbates the health risks associated with air pollution, with approximately 700 million people affected in the Indo-Gangetic region alone. Addressing air pollution in India presents unique challenges due to the scale of the problem, the regional variations, and the need for concerted efforts across multiple states and sectors.
Potential solutions and the importance of awareness
Effective measures to mitigate air pollution in India include adopting cleaner technologies, reducing emissions from industries and vehicles, promoting clean energy sources, and improving waste management practices. Government initiatives, public awareness campaigns, and international collaborations are crucial in addressing this complex issue. Understanding the health risks associated with air pollution, both in terms of physical health and cognitive function, is essential to drive policy changes and encourage individual actions. While the problem is significant, there is hope for improvement through sustained efforts and a collective commitment to combating air pollution in India.
Main Idea 1
Improving energy efficiency in vehicles and industries can be a cost-effective strategy to reduce air pollution. This includes promoting cleaner fuels, implementing emission standards, and investing in technology that improves combustion efficiency.
Main Idea 2
Household fuel burning is a significant source of indoor and outdoor air pollution. Encouraging the use of cleaner fuels, such as LPG, can improve air quality, but challenges exist due to cost and reliability concerns. Additionally, addressing this issue requires a shift in cooking habits and infrastructure upgrades.
Main Idea 3
Transport emissions, especially from older vehicles, are major contributors to air pollution. Implementing stricter vehicle emission standards, promoting electric vehicles, improving public transportation systems, and incentivizing non-motorized transport can help reduce pollution levels.
Main Idea 4
Regulating industrial pollution is crucial for improving air quality. Enhancing the capacity and resources of regulatory agencies, updating legislation to allow for more effective enforcement, and imposing fines for non-compliance can lead to significant reductions in industrial emissions.
Reducing Industrial Emissions: Cost-effective and Concentrated
Focusing on industrial emissions can lead to significant reduction in emissions at a relatively low cost for industries. This approach targets a smaller number of actors and has the potential for collaboration with a clear ally, such as government agencies. Industrial emission sources are well understood, with global best practices already in place. The flexibility to enforce emission standards has improved with recent legislative amendments, and advancements in monitoring technology provide opportunities for better data collection. Supporting organizations that work with pollution control boards can effectively address industrial emissions.
Political Economy of Air Pollution in Northern India
Air pollution in northern India presents political challenges and conflicting interests. While public concern about air pollution is growing, it remains a niche elite concern rather than a top priority for voters. The influence of industrial lobbies and powerful ministries hampers effective policy implementation. Subsistence farmers and small-scale agricultural communities may resist external interference due to low income and affordability issues. Elite advocacy groups have made progress in pushing for change, but broader public awareness and incentivizing policies that balance short-term visibility and long-term effectiveness are still crucial for meaningful progress.
Funding Organizations and Think Tanks for Policy Change
Funding organizations and think tanks that can work closely with government agencies becomes a valuable strategy to drive policy change. These collaborations involve providing technical assistance, project management support, and governance expertise. Such organizations can influence policy decisions and help with implementation and monitoring processes. However, funding restrictions in certain areas and limitations in domestic funding pose challenges to drive necessary changes. Building expertise and cultivating experts in policy analysis, source-specific interventions, and technology testing can also contribute to effective air quality management.
Reduced Complexity Models for Evidence-based Governance
Developing reduced complexity models offers a valuable tool for evidence-based policy analysis. These models simplify the process of translating policy actions into their impact on air quality. By using approximations and computational lighter methods, it enables experts from various fields, such as transportation or household fuel burning, to analyze the implications of policy changes accurately. This allows for more informed decision-making and facilitates the communication of potential benefits to politicians and the public. Emulating successful approaches from other countries, such as the UK and China, provides additional insights for addressing the air pollution challenge in India.
"One [outrageous example of air pollution] is municipal waste burning that happens in many cities in the Global South. Basically, this is waste that gets collected from people's homes, and instead of being transported to a waste management facility or a landfill or something, gets burned at some point, because that's the fastest way to dispose of it — which really points to poor delivery of public services. But this is ubiquitous in virtually every small- or even medium-sized city. It happens in larger cities too, in this part of the world.
"That's something that truly annoys me, because it feels like the kind of thing that ought to be fairly easily managed, but it happens a lot. It happens because people presumably don't think that it's particularly harmful. I don't think it saves a tonne of money for the municipal corporations and other local government that are meant to manage it. I find it particularly annoying simply because it happens so often; it's something that you're able to smell in so many different parts of these cities." — Santosh Harish
