Problems surrounding air pollution present an urgent challenge for many countries, including India. Among other reasons, this challenge has been exacerbated by the indifferent attitude of people towards it. Various studies have pointed out the harmful effects of air pollution. Despite the government bringing various regulations on activities like stubble burning and bursting fire crackers, people violate them. (a) Discuss the reasons behind such behaviour on part of society towards air pollution. (b) Suggest measures that are required to be undertaken to nudge people towards pro-environment behaviour.

(a) According to WHO, 14 out of 20 most polluted cities are in India. Air pollution is the contributor to most pollution related deaths. Despite such information, preventing laws, people are apathetic.

(i) lack of responsibility

• polluters do not feel morally accountable to those who are affected
• the belief that pollution does not affect them.

(ii) Air pollution only shows effects on long term basis, people only want short term gratification e.g cracker bursting

(iii) lack of sensitisation towards possible effects of pollution

(iv) lack of alternatives to stubble burning or alternatives are too costly

(v) Belief that some one else will take care of the pollution. Government should do, people need not

(vi) Individualistic and narrow outlook

• fail to acknowledge unity of existence of humanity.
• economic or sensuous gains are valued more over health effects

(vii) Seeing pollution as a transitory phenomena.

(viii) lax implementation of laws, rarely penalties are imposed.

(ix) lack of respect towards environment (x) lack of understanding inter-generational impact

(b) Measures to inculcate pro-environment behaviour.

• Informational campaign → data, figures on pollution and effects → conducting seminars in schools to educate children → Conducting tests on random people and telling them harmful effects of air pollution on their body. They should be made scientifically aware about its effects → short movies and international documentaries about real life case of pollution related disability and deaths.

• Pro-environment alternatives → green crackers → BS-VI vehicles → renewable energy sources → low cost alternatives to stubble burning → Incentivising adoption of good practices → Biocomposting and methanol synthesis sites near stubble centres to utilise stubble → Celebrate those people who adopt pro-environment measures → plantation drives • Implementation of laws → reward and penalty mechanism → strict supervision • Lead by example → some government agencies can

come forward and demonstrate good practices

• Inculcating values of environmental ethics → rights of future generation → rights of animals → Unity of existence