The continuing debate on Delhi’s air quality underlines that we are dealing with the symptoms and not the causes of the problem. Beijing’s success in controlling air pollution was not because of regulating car use through the ‘odd-even’ measure as its efficient public transport systems covers 70% of trips. ……………………………………………………………………………………. The population shift into the middle class in cities raises three policy questions. First, since much of air pollution is caused by activities that lead to climate change, there should be a comprehensive plan for cities. Second, the West, with one-fifth of the population, uses four-fifths of the natural resources. We should identify and modify, not adopt their wasteful trends. Third, the courts with their reliance on regulation and bans will not change behaviour.