A STEADY and substantial loss of sunshine to air pollution across all seasons is gravely concerning. A recent Met Office study shows that Bangladesh has lost sunshine hours, by one to 3.32 hours, in four decades. In the winter in December鈥揊ebruary, it has been 0.83 hours鈥� loss in every decade since 1980 while it has been 0.76 hours in the pre-monsoon season in March鈥揗ay. By 2020, the loss of sunshine hours in the winter was 3.32 hours each day and three hours in the pre-monsoon months. Moreover, trans-boundary pollutants travelling from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan over Bangladesh have worsened the situation, especially in November鈥揗arch when the wind blows from the west. About 60 per cent of pollution in Bangladesh occurs in this period. The loss is 1.28 hours a day in the monsoon and one hour in the post-monsoon season. Air pollution by airborne particles creates thick layers of fog that blocks sunlight for hours, resulting in less sunlight on the surface. Bangladesh鈥檚 air contains one of the world鈥檚 highest concentrations of airborne particles and is often ranked as the worst air in the world.
Airborne pollutants work as a platform for fog to form, resulting in a dense and prolonged period of fog in the winter. Dense fog is also frequent in the morning in rural areas, even in mid-summer. The Met Office report and environment scientists say that brick kilns, unfit vehicles, large infrastructure projects, construction activities and an increased use of fossil fuels, especially for power generation, are sources of airborne particles, including dust, dirt, soot and smoke. Power consumption has tripled over the last one and a half decades and as the power is mainly produced off fossil fuels, there has been a rise in the release of pollutants. Haphazardly implemented large infrastructure development projects, brick kilns, construction works and vehicles also release enormous volumes of dust and keep the sky grey, resulting in sunshine loss. Less sunlight on the surface has negative consequences on public health, the environment and trees and animals. While it indirectly facilitates warming, it exposes public health to hazards and reduces crop production. A lack of sunlight results in Vitamin D deficiency and lowers immunity. It also has a serious impact on agriculture as it disrupts photosynthesis in plants. It also has a negative impact on renewable energy harvests.
The report should work as a wake-up call for the authorities to attend to air pollution, which also causes almost 200,000 untimely deaths in the country. The programmes that the authorities have so far taken to contain air pollution appear half-hearted as the government鈥檚 power and development policies largely disregard the issues. It is time that the authorities became aware and took air quality enhancement programmes that would yield results.
