Reportedly about 2.7 billion people in the world depend on traditional cookstoves or open fires fuelled by biomass. They contribute over 20% of global black carbon emissions.
At times when Modi government has been going the long haul to hardsell it’s Ujjwala scheme which it launched in May 12,2016, Professor of global environment health, school of Public Health, University of Berkeley, Prof Kirk Smith speaking at a special lecture via skype at a private university at the state capital of Uttar Pradesh said that just providing affordable access is not helpful until there is proper awareness.
Speaking on the last day of an international conference on impact of environment on women’s health he said, “niche and correct target audience selection is key to driving home the point that cookstoves are not right choice given the hazards of environmental pollution that come with it. Attitudes need to change.”
He said even if you give women of the family cookstoves they are more likely to use traditional methods compared to correct techniques like use of cylinders.
The Ujjwala scheme primarily focuses on reaching a total 50 million below poverty line households in 3 years plus 50 million other households.
Solid fuels are a major factor and cookstoves are worth 300 cigarettes per hour of smoke, rues Professor Smith.
While use of biomass remains highest in human history and 60% of world uses gas and electricity, cleanest stoves are given to only few of thousands of households.
Dr Smith backed up his claim by saying that a recent report of 2016 underscored the problems that crop up. He said that this was the first time in history that a steering committee of the government was taking up the matter. He said this itself shows the gravity of the situation.
Ambient pollution has spread far and wide. 29% of ambient pollution exposure is due to households. Adding to this is ambient particulate matter, households and ozone. Numbers meanwhile keep changing with models and data bases.
Issues largely talk of insufficient income tax coverage, need for further focus on modern asset based indicators, and processes can be further revolutionalized using modern IT.
The learnings according to Prof Smith are that access is just the tip of the iceberg, there is dire need for smart subsidies to focus on specific financial barriers and have conditional cash transfer. Last but not the least promoting awareness is of paramount importance.
Dr Poonam Kakkar, Chief Scientist and Head Herbal Research Lab, Area Coordinator – Regulatory Toxicology Group, CSIR IITR further said, “ environment pollution is a trans boundary phenomenon. It takes a toll on air quality of Delhi and UP.”
“Highest contribution for pollution is 38% for road dust. Between 1990 – 2015 there has been a drastic increase in chronic pulmonary diseases. Of top 10 causes of death, no 2 is air pollution and COPD. There has been an increase of vehicles by 1 lakh in a year. While SO2 and NO2 remains within permissible limits, particulate matter is the highest.” she said.
The valedictory session saw Padmashri Dr. Nityanand as Guest Honour, Ms. Anita Bhatnagar Jain , a top bureaucrat and top scientists expressing their concern on environmental degradation posing health problems in general across the globe. The session concluded with a promise to hold such conferences across India.
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