You And I Are Responsible For NCR's Pollution

8 Nov 2017: Rachna Singh Ganguli
drives to office in Noida;
coping with palpitations and panic

Yes! We are!! You and I. We are responsible for the death chamber that we now live in. 

Over the last couple of days, all of social media seems to be filled with pictures of the pollution smog that is suffocating the city, the PM levels, what to do to protect ourselves, and statements that hold the government wholly and solely responsible for shaving years off our lives. 

Two years ago I wrote a post with what I thought were Simple Suggestions to Reduce Delhi's Pollution. I sent it to agencies that I thought could do something. Something that would prevent pollution. Some of the suggestions have been implemented (in part), and some haven't. 

But is the government the only entity responsible for the death-grip we are in today? 

8 Nov 2017: Meenu Iyer photographs
the haze over Surajkund Road &
Aravali stretch

I say "No"! You and I are. 

And I hear your indignation when you ask me, "Why?". Here's why.......

1. If you burst crackers for Deepawali or Chaat Puja or a wedding or India's various sports wins, you are a part of the problem
2. If you drive a diesel car, you are a part of the problem
3. If you have not 'pollution checked' your vehicle, you are a part of the problem
4. If you have done any construction in Oct or Nov, you are a part of the problem
5. If you drive to a place you can easily walk to, you are a part of the problem
6. If you don't use public transport whenever you can, you are a part of the problem
7. If you insist on sending your children to school in a car when they can use a school bus, you are a part of the problem
8. If you have cut down a tree, or covered up greenery, you are a part of the problem
9. If you have not greened your home, you are a part of the problem
10. If you have burned trash or leaves, you are a part of the problem
11. If you have kept quiet as you watched leaves / crops / rubbish being burnt, you are a part of the problem
12. If you are not conserving electricity, you are a part of the problem
13. If you have not started car pooling, you are a part of the problem
14. If you have not advocated for work-from-home options, or shuttle services or anything that will reduce pollution, you are a part of the problem
15. If you have not lobbied with your government representative to do something to restrict & reduce pollution, you are a part of the problem

I have been guilty of may of these these myself and I have decided that I will do at least one thing to help make a positive impact. Throughout the year. Consistently. Thoughtfully. 

Here are some actions you and I can take, in addition to not doing the 15 things listed above, that I believe can help.

1. Don't wash your car, use the same water to wash the dust off the leaves of trees near your home.
2. Grow plants. Any plants. Green your balcony, your driveway, your terrace. Anything really.
3. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Everything. 
4. Reduce electricity consumption specifically.
5. Do not burn crackers ever. Not for Christmas. Not for New Year's. Never.
6. If you head a business, ask everyone who can, to work-from-home for a few days. Then work on making this a large scale initiative.

Tell me what you plan to do specifically to reduce pollution. 

You and I have to be a part of the solution. 

For if we stay a part of the problem, we are killing each other.

And committing suicide.

So stop cribbing and do something!