The task of cleaning up air pollution, though difficult, is not believed to be impossible. The shift to less polluting forms of power generation, such as solar energy, wind energy, geothermal, tidal and other forms of renewable energy in place of fossil fuel can be used for controlling pollution. The example of London, as well as of other cities, has shown that major improvements in air quality can be achieved in 10 years or less.

Many cities in India now have pollution control checks for vehicles. Cars are being fitted with catalytic converters and unleaded petrol is being used. There is an attempt to keep a check on polluting industrial units by the judiciary. Cars that use CNG have also been introduced.

You can also contribute to reducing air pollution to some extent. One of the first things you can start doing is to conserve energy. Walk or ride a bicycle to the market or to your friend’s house. Take a bus to school or organize a carpool. See to it that the use of aerosols is reduced in your house. Make sure that your father or mother gets a pollution check of the car done at regular intervals and that the car is well maintained. Trees give out oxygen and take in carbon dioxide and thereby clean the air around us. It is therefore our duty to take care of them. Look after the trees in your neighborhood, along with your friends, begin a tree watch similar to a neighborhood watch. See to it that trees in your area are looked after. Plant more trees and tend to them too.

Switch off the lights and fans each time you leave a room. During the day, use only the required number of lights. At home, during hot summer months when you tend to use an airconditioner or a cooler or a heater on very cold winter days, learn to share the room with your brother or sister when you are studying, watching the television, etc.