Air Pollution In India

A number of factors cause air pollution levels to skyrocket in India. Thousands of auto rickshaws and taxis transport Indians around the country daily. Many rickshaw and taxi drivers blend lower-priced fuels with gasoline, in a process known as fuel adulteration, to maximize profit (Press Trust of India). Although the drivers are saving money, fuel adulteration comes at a high cost for the environment. The process causes toxins such as particulate matter and carbon monoxide to enter the atmosphere at an increased rate (Press Trust of India). Another massive contributor to India’s air pollution is the burning of fuelwood and biomass in over 160 million Indian homes (Singh, ii). The two are often used as a source of energy for cooking and for heating purposes. Fuelwood and biomass cakes used in stoves produces smoke that emits concentrations of pollutants at a rate 5 times higher than coal. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 488,000 Indians die from these harmful

Thus, India joined with the United States in 2009 to form the Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE), which supports researching and implementing clean technology throughout India that emits low concentrations of carbon (U.S.-India Energy). PACE-D has tackled the area of energy efficiency through smart grid pilot programs, creating buildings with zero net energy usage, and heating waste for energy (Energy Efficiency). They began a pilot program consisting of fourteen smart grids placed in India (Energy Efficiency). The project will hopefully expand, with smart grid technology being used eventually throughout all of India. PACE-D also supports and promotes “near zero energy buildings (NZEB)” and low-energy heating and air conditioning. The goal is to accelerate the implementation of these buildings and activities throughout areas of India with climate