Hi, reader! Thank you for clicking on this post. I know you find it a bit vapid and shallow to obsess over photos of celebrities, and for good reason! Studies have suggested that the more interested one is in celebrities, the less likely they are to vote, protest, and engage with politics.
But dude, you're only human. Of course you want to look at photos of hyper-groomed, conventionally attractive, famous people! You can't beat yourself up for that. (And of course I want the easy page views that your interest in celebrities provides.)
So I have arrived at a workaround. While you enjoy the following photos, I will sprinkle in some facts about a "real issue" that needs your attention. Because why choose between celebs and global empathy? It's frickin' 2017. We can have everything we want! Pretty photos! Political engagement! All of the above! Woohoo!
With that I present to you: 11 photos of Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh,
and also some fucking horrifying facts about air pollution in India.
1. Hi. You know we have an air pollution problem, no? If you don't think it's thaaaat bad, get this: TWO INDIANS DIE PER MINUTE because of air pollution.
2. Last year the WHO assessed 1,622 cities worldwide for fine particulate matter, and found India is home to 13 of the top 20 cities with the most polluted air.
3. Still not horrified? Ok. Breathing in Delhi’s air for 24 hours is equivalent to smoking 10 cigarettes a day.
4. And it's only getting worse. Air quality in India deteriorated by 21.6% in the past 10 years.
5. In 2013, a study was conducted on the lung function of non-smokers. Indian non-smokers' lungs function 30% less effectively than Europeans' do.
6. India’s rapidly worsening air pollution is causing over 1 million people to die prematurely each year. A FUCKIN' MILLION. TEN LAKHS. WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOU.
7. It's doomsday, fam. And I know you're a smart, conscientious, woke-AF reader, so you want to know what you can do to help. I gotchu. Keep reading.
8. Use public transport or carpools as much as possible. Also, make sure your vehicles are properly serviced at all times. Badly maintained vehicles emit noxious pollutants into the air.
9. A maaaassssive component of the problem is the burning of fossil fuels to get energy. Switch to solar wherever you can, and make smaaaallll lifestyle changes to reduce your own carbon footprint.
10. Also, governments need to ensure existing coal based power use latest technologies, which reduce the amount of pollutants they release. There is a government notification to ensure this, but power plants aren’t taking it seriously. In fact, they're trying to get the notification removed or diluted. Direct your outrage to this issue!
11. And finally, if you want your state government or municipality to take action on air pollution, you can start your own campaign on Air Alert.
That's it! Thanks for getting this far! You're a better person for it. 😊 Here's a bonus GIF with no facts or information.
