logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
17m 28s

The cost of smog

Bbc World Service
About this episode

We’re in Delhi, looking at the impact of extreme pollution levels on workers and businesses in recent weeks.

Non-essential trucks have been banned from going into the city, and offices have asked 50% of staff to work from home.

Local markets, cafes and restaurants, as well as shopping malls, have seen a 20-30% decline in foot traffic.

Meanwhile labourers, rickshaw pullers, delivery riders and other workers paid a daily wage, have no choice but to go outside to earn a living.

In neighbouring Pakistan, air pollution has also far exceeded safe levels. We hear how people in Lahore are coping.

Presented and produced by Devina Gupta

Up next
Yesterday
The impact of 'thirsty' data centres
We're in the US state of Georgia, where huge data centres need water to keep cool. But how is this need for cloud storage and AI capability affecting local residents and the environment?Presenter: Michelle Fleury Producer: Nathalie Jimenez(Image: Georgia resident Beverly Morris l ... Show More
17m 50s
Jul 8
Does university still get you a well-paid job?
Graduates are facing one of the toughest jobs markets in decades. We hear from students in India, the US and UK about whether they feel a university or college degree is worth it as we discuss the cost of attending university around the world and what your job prospects might be ... Show More
17m 27s
Jul 7
Returning to Ukraine?
The UN estimates that nearly seven million Ukrainians have left their home country since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Many have set up businesses in their new country - around 90,000 of those in Poland. We hear about the challenges they’ve faced, and the sectors ... Show More
17m 30s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
Solutions Journalism: The art of air pollution
Air Pollution is responsible for around seven million deaths every year. Governments around the world have been trying to tackle it with a variety of measures. But now, the fight against air pollution is increasingly catching the imagination of artists and designers. In Al Hudayr ... Show More
22m 56s
Sep 2021
The Lovin Dubai Show: Dubai Gov Employees Will Get 6 Days Paid Leave To Visit Expo 2020
-Dubai Gov Employees Will Get 6 Days Paid Leave To Visit Expo 2020-It’s The Age Of ‘Ice Cream Robots’ At This Mall In Dubai-Dubai Ruler Allocates AED5.2 BILLION For Land Plots And Homes For Emiratis-Interview With Darren 
37m 2s
Nov 2024
The World View - Extreme Pollution in Delhi
UN says over 100 trucks raided in Gaza; extreme pollution in Delhi; Denmark’s cow tax to tackle “agricultural emissions”. Adam Gilchrist shares details on these stories with Bongani Bingwa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
3m 40s
May 14
US unchains Syrian's businesses
The US has lifted sanctions on the country after 14 years of restrictions on almost any ort of trade. We hear the reaction from the business owner in Damascus.Also, we hear from one Chinese exporter over the reduced tariffs agreed between Beijing and Washington. Plus - fears abou ... Show More
26m 26s
May 28
Robots
There’s a global race for robot supremacy. From Shanghai to Silicon Valley, companies are trying to develop humanoids that can take on physical work. China is emerging as a major player thanks to abundant government support. Host Carmel Crimmins talks to Brenda Goh, Reuters burea ... Show More
20m 10s
Apr 23
Kashmir attack, Musk at DOGE and Tesla, steel country and State Dept
Dozens have been killed after suspected militants opened fire at tourists in India's Jammu and Kashmir territory. Elon Musk says he will significantly cut back the time he devotes to the Trump administration and spend more time running his companies after Tesla net profits droppe ... Show More
12m 24s
Aug 2023
Afternoon Report | ASX’s worst weekly drop this year
This is the Fear and Greed Afternoon Report - everything you need to know about what happened in the markets, economy and world of business today, in just a few minutes. ASX flat, but down for week Cyber attack hits Latitude’s bottom line Chinese real estate crisis deepens Coles ... Show More
5m 29s
Jun 2024
Making tourism work for everyone
Tourism brings money and opportunities to communities around the world, but it brings risks too. Sometimes an influx of tourists changes a place, damages the environment or leads to the exploitation of local people.But the social enterprise Local Alike has a different model. They ... Show More
22m 59s
Nov 2023
Delhi smog: How India is tackling air pollution
Delhi is often described as the most polluted city in the world. Right now the air quality is so bad the government has ordered all primary schools to shut until 10th November. We want to focus on what’s being done to improve things. Kamala Thiagarajan, a climate and science repo ... Show More
15m 33s