World Environment Day: Beat air pollution, urge experts

New Delhi, June 4 (IANS) In a bid to raise awareness about major environmental issues ranging from pollution to climate change and sustainable food production to protection of Wildlife, World Environment Day is observed worldwide on June 5 every year.

This year, the day is being observed on the theme 'Beat air pollution'. Medical experts from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Delhi Medical Association (DMA) and Apollo Hospitals on Tuesday called for action to reduce air pollution.

"Understanding the different types of pollutions and how hazardous it is to our health and environment will help us to take steps towards improving the air quality around us. Often we can't even see it, but air pollution is around us everywhere. We can't stop breathing, but we certainly can take small initiatives at our end to improve the air quality," said Dr Anil Goyal, Convenor, World Environment Day, Indian Medical Association.

Nine out of ten people are exposed to alarming levels of air pollution, the experts noted, while insisting on individual efforts to combat the global crisis.

"With increasing urbanization and industrialization, air pollution has become the third-highest cause of death among all health risks. It is high time, that we as responsible citizens come together to resolve this issue and make planet earth a greener, healthier and happier place to live,a saidADr K Hariprasad, President, Apollo Hospitals Division.

The experts urged people to use public transport and consider fuel efficient and alternative fuel vehicles for travelling.