SMOG HEAVY PAKISTAN

Smog is a specific type of air pollutant consisting of a combination of particulate matter (PM 2.5) and ground level ozone (O3).

It appears as a yellow-brown haze and is introduced into the atmosphere by both natural and human processes.

Smog typically increases around the months of October to November, when the temperature falls. In regions where wind speeds are low, smoke and fog become stagnant at ground levels closer to inhabited areas. At the surface level, it hampers visibility and causes itchiness to the eyes but the long term effects are detrimental to human life.

While air quality had markedly improved since the 1990s in high-income countries, the lost years of healthy life has not declined significantly. Air quality has generally deteriorated in Asian countries, in line with their low economic development and lack of effective policies.

Over the past decade, Smog has become a significant health issue for the residents of Pakistan. With its 212 million inhabitants and with it being the 5th most populous country in the world, individuals and policy makers alike are striving to make an impactful change that can save Pakistan from its current trajectory of unbreathable air.

This presentation aims to walk the reader through the health risks, loss in life expectancy and causes of air pollution in Pakistan; with the intention to change individual behaviour through resources provided.

INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS

Pakistan has the opportunity to experience the same progress as neighbouring countries such as China in efforts to reduce air pollution. If Pakistan were to achieve a 32 percent pollution reduction in pollution, its residents would live 1.2 years longer on average. This would ensure that it is approximately 43 percent in accordance with the WHO guideline.

At an individual level, best practices are outlined for both protection and further prevention and there is a dire need to educate on the human impacts on the environment. Protection using proper masks and air purifiers are presented in the Clean Air Facility Program and the Protection Guidelines.

Additionally, the Billion Tree Agenda adopted by the government and backed by the United Nations accepts volunteers within the Ministry for Climate Change.

POLICY INITIATIVES

1. Introduction of Low-Sulphur fuels and adopting Euro-II standards for vehicular emissions.

2. A complete solid waste management system needs to be adopted in all major cities that includes both the collection of waste and its environmental friendly disposal.

3. Agriculture Department needs to launch a systematic campaign for educating farmers on the harmful impacts of burning of crop residues and introduce alternative technologies for environmentally safe disposal of crop residue such as converting it into compost or mulch.

4. Green Industrial processes with resource efficiencies and emission reduction should be implemented in cement manufacturing plants, steel mills and thermal power plants.