Look in the mirror: Aam aadmi not industries, are India's biggest polluters

Urban homes may be a bigger emitter of greenhouse gases than gas-chugging industries, a study conducted by Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore revealed. The reason for this include high-rise and glass facade buildings, poor waste management, and ineffective heating practices, which have all turned urban homes into a major source of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, according to this report by Telegraph India. [caption id=“attachment_1778143” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Pollution in Chandigarh. Representational image. Reuters[/caption] The study has shown that Delhi is the most polluted city - it released over 38 billion kg of GHG during 2009, the most recent year for which collective emissions data is available. Following Delhi’s footsteps is Greater Mumbai, which spewed 22.7 billion kg, and Chennai with 22.1 billion kg. This report by TOI states that the study revealed that the major sources of energy consumption in the domestic sector were electricity for lighting and household appliances and fuel for cooking. The fuels considered during the study were liquefied petroleum gas, piped natural gas and kerosene. The study also revealed that India contributed to 5 percent of the total global emission of greenhouse gases. TV Ramachandra of Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, who headed the study, spoke about India’s contribution as compared to other cities. “While Beijing may be the big brother, the cities here could be smaller brothers,” he said. The study revealed that the major sources of energy consumption in the domestic sector were electricity for lighting and household appliances and fuel for cooking. The fuels considered during the study were liquefied petroleum gas, piped natural gas and kerosene.