Pollution is not just about air quality anymore. It has become a silent killer that took the lives of more than 17 lakh Indians in 2022 alone.
A new Lancet report attributes fine particulate matter PM2.5 pollution to be responsible for around 17 lakh deaths in India last year which is a jaw-dropping 38% increase since 2010.
The short answer is: the burning of fossil fuels. Over 44% of the deaths are linked to coal used in industrial sectors, petrol and diesel released from vehicle exhausts, and other sources of fossil fuel burning.
Use of petrol for road transport contributed to 2.69 lakh deaths, as per the 2025 Report of The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change
The reports say that continuously using these energy sources not only lowers air quality, but it also worsens climate change. Consequently, it is this combination that causes the loss of lives, health, and jobs. Furthermore, the report draws attention to the fact that in developing areas, the use of solid fuels for cooking is still the main source of indoor air pollution, which contributes to millions of deaths worldwide.
The human cost of this is terrible. But the economic cost is equally as scary. Outdoor air pollution that led to premature deaths in 2022 has, in fact, been the reason behind financial losses for India, to the tune of approximately $340 billion. This figure is equivalent to nearly one-tenth (9.5%) of the country's GDP.
The report draws attention to the interplay between climate change and pollution. These two phenomena intensify each other’s effects, causing a wide range of health issues that, in turn, put a strain on the healthcare sector.
Furthermore, children, the elderly, and the poor constitute the most vulnerable groups that are affected by these issues.
Nevertheless, there is a silver lining if the decision to act decisively and promptly is made. The Lancet report indicate the emergency for phasing out fossil fuels, turning to clean energy sources such as solar and wind, and improving public transport in order to decrease emissions produced by vehicles as the main solutions to tackle the situation. Moreover, freeing people from fuel-bound cooking and providing them with clean alternatives is a way to save a great number of lives.
The city can be made better through proper planning that allows for more green areas and air corridors to keep the environment clean, and the healthcare system should become more resilient to climate challenges.
Early warning systems could also be strengthened to give people timely information about coming threats. In addition, the report exhorts governments to cease subsidies for fossil fuels and instead use such funds for renewable energy projects as well as implement health-based climate policies.
Every postponed year implies more victims and economic losses. India now finds itself at a crossroads: either it proceeds with the perilous course or it chooses to clean up and lead a healthy life. We ask ourselves: how much longer can we continue to pay the lethal price of polluted air?
