Apr.18: ENVIRONMENT SNIPPETS
- Posted by CERC India
- Posted in April
30% premature deaths due to air pollution
Risk factor Â
Air pollution causes 30% of all premature deaths in the country. This was revealed by the report ‘Body Burden: Lifestyle Diseases’ brought out by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Air pollution from vehicles and industry is known to cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD), asthma, hormonal imbalance and cancer. Every third child in Delhi has impaired lungs.
Air pollution is also linked to mental health. An increase of PM2.5 in the environment can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. Targeting environmental risk factors is essential to cut premature deaths due to lifestyle diseases, says the report.
Need for clean air
Use of wild animals in circuses banned
Curbing animal cruelty
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has passed orders cancelling the recognition of all circuses across the country that make wild animals perform tricks. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) of the MoEFCC made this decision following inspections which found extreme cruelty being shown to animals. CZA member secretary D.N. Singh confirmed the no circus in India is now recognised by the authority.
In 1998, the Central government barred bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers, and lions from being exhibited or trained as performing animals. Experts say circus animals are often beaten by trainers and kept locked in cramped cages or chained for months as the circus moves from city to city.
Welcome move
Why a simple plant like moss is so ecofriendly
Multiple benefits
Moss does not require fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides to grow which makes it very environmentally friendly and a much cheaper alternative to other plants. It can be used as an alternative to the typical green grass lawn. As it does not need intermittent watering or mowing, this saves water and eliminates land mower related air pollution.
Moss covers 3% of the land mass and stores perhaps more carbon than any other plant on land. Moreover, moss can survive in polluted water and acts as a buffer to slow down water drainage. Last but not the least, when used on the roof-top moss significantly reduces building temperatures.  Â
Truly green                                                                                  Â
