NEW DELHI (AP) – Prime Minister Narendra Modi is blaming changing lifestyles for rising pollution levels that have given India some of the world’s dirtiest air.
He urged Indians to curtail waste and conserve resources even as they become wealthier, in order to prevent an environmental catastrophe.
The World Health Organization says air pollution kills millions of people each year, including more than 627,000 in India.
Modi told state environment ministers in New Delhi on Monday that “unless we bring a change in our lifestyle, we will not be able to save the environment.”
He said that while it was “difficult to convince the developed nations about this,” Indians should set an example.