The enormity of the problem caused by Air Pollution and Climate Change is rising with each passing day. With rapid urbanization, Guwahati has a lot of air pollution and black carbon levels here are among the highest in the world. Vehicular pollution, open waste burning are the major reasons for air pollution with the city’s infrastructure and public systems barely coping with increasing demands owing to development. Traditional methods of cooking using fossil fuels also increase indoor air pollution, which is equally harmful for health.To bring together the collective energy of the Government and citizens to work towards mitigating the health impacts of air pollution and climate change, it is important that key stakeholders come together to think and act.
Lung Care Foundation (LCF), a Guinness World Record holding social impact trust, through its program Doctors for Clean Air and Climate Action (DFCA), launches a City Action Group (C.A.G.) with Nemcare Superspeciality Hospital in Guwahati. In the launch program leadership ideas, and contributions from multiple stakeholders from various fields is sought by fostering dialogue, defining and discussing the health impacts, identifying and bringing together potential solutions, and discussing what the next steps of action should be. The resultant synergies will add momentum to the important cause of Clean Air and Climate Action, thus benefiting the ecologically sensitive and pristine North – Eastern region of the country.
Dr. Rashna Hazarika, Senior Consultant, Pediatrics and Neonatology, Nemcare Superspeciality Hospital, said- The increasing pollution levels in Guwahati esp post Diwali and in the dry winter months is responsible for an increased number of respiratory diseases such as asthma and pneumonia especially among children and the elderly population. There is an urgent need to mitigate the effects of air pollution and take collective steps to reduce air pollution. Dr. Carmin Uppal, Program Manager, Doctors for Clean Air and Climate Action, said- “The launch of a City Action Group in Guwahati harnesses the collective power of professionals to propel the Clean Air and Climate Action movement, at a more organized and faster pace.”
