It’s time to reinforce environmental safety norms 

While the world is grappling with the uncertainty imposed by the global pandemic, the environment is seeing an unprecedented change. Sharing her views at a Webinar "The Environment in the post COVID world" at Amity University Ms. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman & Managing Director, Biocon Limited stated that the one positive outcome of this virus is the environmental clean-up that has happened across the globe. She attributed this to the stringent human and industrial lockdown that reduced the release of industrial effluents and vehicular pollution in the environment.
 
Ms Shaw detailed how AQI in Delhi has come to a point where the air is much-cleaner and safer to breathe with a 70% reduction in pollution. While the Himalayas are clearly visible from Jalandhar city for the first time in 30 years, the quality of water in the Delhi stretch of Yamuna river has vastly improved. Ganga water at Haridwar and Rishikesh was reported fit for drinking owing to reduction of industrial wastage and sewage. She added that due to the lockdown air and water bodies have cleaned up across the world.
 
Stating the impact of air pollution on global economy and on lives, Ms. Shaw averred that according to WHO and World Bank estimates air pollution costs the global economy $225 billion annually every year. It causes 7 million premature death every year due to pulmonary diseases and lung cancer.
“Years of pollution can be cleaned up in a few months in the post Covid world and requires suitable policy measures and responsible behaviour,” said Ms. Shaw. She further added that there is a need to have a plan for a low carbon economic growth to be based on adoption of renewable energy, sewage treatment etc and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Ms. Shaw averred that solar sector continues to be the largest renewable energy sector that will create maximum jobs along with bio-fuels, wind & hydro power sectors. She further stated that women currently represent 32% of the global renewable energy workforce.
 
Sharing her concern about the growing issue of disposal of medical waste, PPEs, masks etc generated because of Covid is another cause of worry and will add to plastic pollution. “We should be addressing these issues and look at using bio-degradable options and eco-friendly solutions as there will be an increase in the usage of PPEs and masks in the coming times. This is a huge opportunity for jobs and entrepreneurship for the youngsters and also environmentally sustainable. Ms. Shaw added that many cities in the post Covid world are looking at creating cycle tracks across cities for reducing pollution and India also must look at creating this infrastructure. “It is the right time to implement the electric vehicle policy and create the infrastructure to support it. This will further lead to employment generation in these segments. Covid has also taught us to be judicious, prudent & responsible in our travel and re-look at our consumption patterns as we don’t need to be a high consumption society,” added Ms. Shaw.  
 
Talking about how Covid has made India a cleaner nation, she suggested ensuing the same practices of washing hands, wearing masks and following social distancing once the lockdown is lifted. Ms. Shaw recommended that this was the right time to reinforce the environmental safety norms and how the importance of preventive, primary and public healthcare; health & nutrition; health & hygiene and improvement of immunity has come to the fore during these Covid times.
 
Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder President, Amity Group of Institutions averred that positive attitude and the strength is important to move forward as shared by Ms. Shaw. He also announced for the formation of a Centre for Low Carbon Economic Growth that is the need of the present times. “The opportunities this situation has brought are unlimited,” shared Dr. Chauhan.  
 
Dr. Aseem Chauhan, Chancellor, Amity University Haryana and CEO, Amity Capital Ventures shared that interaction with Ms. Shaw made them feel motivated to do much more for the nation and its youth and her thoughts have shown everyone a new path. The web session was attended by Mrs Divya Chauhan, Chairperson ASFT, ASFA & ASPA, Prof. (Dr.) P B Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Amity University Gurgaon, students, faculty members and visitors from across the nation.