When fossil fuels choke us to death, as in the Indian capital city of Delhi, the truth speaks, even yells at us, to take action
PM2.5 (from coal burning) is the main culprit:
New Delhi: The capital’s deadly PM2.5 load is driven less by local dust and more ..
I grew up in a city blackened by coal dust, and consequently suffered constant bouts of bronchitis. I am therefore sensitive to the subject of air pollution caused by unfettered burning of coal.
The UK was a major user during the Industrial Revolution and the coal industry employed thousands to serve the demand as technology applications,powered by this fossil fuel, blossomed. It seemed like a win-win until thousands died due to smog and lethal air quality.
I now live in a rural area, with high quality clean air, which helps me live with my asthma more comfortably than in any area with air pollution.
I wrote a blog 3 years ago about the importance of air quality:
https://borderslynn.com/2022/12/11/air-quality-particulate-pollution/
The Great Smog of LONDON:
The UK Clean Air Act of 1956 began the uphill struggle of efforts to clean up the cities of the UK and work toward a healthy environment for all:
Clean Air Act 1956
July 1956
The Clean Air Act of 1956 received royal assent in July 1956. The Act was passed with the aim of tackling the smog and air pollution created by the burning of coal and industrial activities.
Great Smog of London
Prior to the enactment of the Act, the ‘great smog’ of 1952 descended on Greater London. While merely considered an inconvenience for many, the smog exacerbated the health problems of those with chronic heart and lung conditions.
This resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of deaths during the great smog, with 4,075 additional deaths. There were so many deaths that florists reportedly ran out of flowers.
Beaver Committee
Following the great smog, a committee was set up, chaired by Sir Hugh Beaver, which identified the source of the smog as pollution from solid fuels. The committee then made a number of recommendations that formed the basis of the Clean Air Act 1956.
Legislation and impact
The Act gave local authorities the power to control emissions of smoke, grit, dust and fumes from industrial premises and furnaces, and set up smoke control zones. In these control zones, emissions of any of these materials could be banned.
Following the legislation, the age-specific death rates of men in Greater London fell by almost half.
Source(s)
The House of Commons.
Clean Air Act 1956 (repealed 27.8.1993).
legislation.gov.uk; 1948.
It has taken until very recently to move from coal fired power stations to wind, solar,nuclear powered alternative energy sources.
The UK has officially closed its last coal-fired power station, marking the end of coal use for electricity generation after 142 years. This significant milestone reflects the country’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources. wri.org BBC
The solutions to Delhi’s pollution problem are readily available. They have the wealth to determine qualitative changes which will so benefit the lives of those fighting for breath in Delhi.
India’s economy in 2025 is projected to be the world’s fourth-largest, with a nominal GDP of approximately $4.18 trillion. The country is experiencing strong growth driven by domestic demand and is expected to overtake Germany to become the third-largest economy within a few years. Indiatimes DW
But in the USA, Trump wants to keep coal burning.
Trump administration forces Craig coal power plant to continue operating
By MARK JAFFE The Colorado Sun 11 mins ago
And Russia’s coal mining industry is collapsing because they failed to see the warning signs and prepare:
Mine over matter: Russia’s coal industry is collapsing — and no one is ready for it
30 April 2025
Last year, Russian investors rented fifteen coal mines in occupied eastern Ukraine. After proving unprofitable, nine of them are now being returned to the authorities of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk “people’s republics,” which are set to shutter the enterprises. This failed attempt at reaping the spoils of captured Ukrainian industry is just one element of a broader crisis that has gripped Russia’s coal sector over the past year. More than half of Russia’s coal companies were unprofitable by the end of 2024, and the country’s coal strategy has long ignored the global energy transition. The drop in demand for Russian coal began with the European Union’s embargo in 2022. Without the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, this shift would likely have come much later — possibly even a decade down the line. Had Russia focused on preparing for change rather than waging war, the fallout could have been far less devastating. Instead, the industry is collapsing.
https://theins.ru/en/economics/281003
And in China:
borderslynn 
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