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Smog, which is commonly known as smoke+fog is one of the hottest topics discussed these days. Particulate matter (particles suspended in air) is the reason behind smog. From last 2 years (2016-2017) Lahore, Pakistan is facing a serious air pollution issue.
The question arises that why is it an important issue and discussed almost everywhere? According to statistical reports, almost 15-17 people died in road accidents in 2016 because of visibility problem occurred due to smog. According to the Executive Director of the Children’s Hospital in Lahore, Ahsan Waheed Rathore, about 600-700 children came to the OPD complaining of smog-related ailments last year.
Out of 1,000 children admitted to emergency, 600 have complained of difficulty in breathing and cold whereas, in 2017 number of accidents has increased to 20-25 and doubled the number of people complaining about respiratory problems and eye infection.
In 2016, we said that burning of crops in India led to smog in Lahore whereas we don’t have any proof to prove this statement. Our country doesn’t have any pollution measuring equipment, so how can anyone ask that it’s because of Indian crop burning process and for once we believe it that’s the reason, but in 2017 smog has doubled whereas, crop burning procedures have not even started yet. We accused farmers that because of crop burning practices smog occur but we all know this practice is going on for several years then why is Smog causing problems for the last 2 years?
We all must know that burning crops in India or in our country may be one of the reasons for smog, but it is not the only reason. If we talk about the reasons we all know burning of fossil fuels excess of carbon dioxide release smoke from chimney etc. etc. are the reasons. But you know what is the biggest reason? It’s knowing all these things but still neglecting them.
Everyone is talking about smog but no one including myself is doing anything about it. Winters came and we all got an interesting topic to talk about, we do talk shows, write posts on “SMOG, SMOG, SMOG!!!” and now we all are waiting for rainfall. Rainfall will occur, and we will forget this issue till next year until smog appears again, and we will talk about it as usual and will pray for rainfall again, continuing the cycle.
We are just looking for temporary solutions no one wants to solve its root cause. If we had done something about it in 2016 maybe this year we would not have to do anything about this. PM (particulate matter) is present and harmful throughout the year but we just think and worry about it in winters especially during smog days.
For protection we wear masks, which is good, we should protect ourselves, but did you know PM 2.5 can absorb and penetrate into your body through the skin? So, wearing masks do not give you 100% protection. We only care and use preventive measures when it is visible that is most probably PM 10 what about PM 2.5 which is more dangerous?
We have changed our school timings, we have forbidden our family members from outside activities in such weather. Just sit for a second and think for once that why are we getting afraid of this smog which is created by us? Why are we sitting in our houses because there is smog outside? Just question yourself why don’t we solve this smog issue presently rather than sitting inside?
Now talking about some of the solutions, if you are an industrialist, use good quality coal. If you can’t decrease the quantity of coal no problem, you can increase the quality of coal. Or try to substitute with some other sources of fuel which are less harmful. If you are an engineer, try to make such engines which need less or no fuel. Try to make hybrid cars, use catalytic converters or plant scrubbers. if you are a microbiologist or a biotechnologist, try to make biofuels and other organic substances.
If you are a politician make policies to reduce pollution implementing carbon taxes, widen your roads so no traffic will jam, and less fuel will burn. Moreover, if you are just a common man, plant trees outside your house maybe you can motivate someone and by looking at you he will plant 2 trees and a chain of plantations will begin.
Concluding all the above, create a sustainable environment because we are the last generation that can make our environment sustainable. If we don’t control it today, it is impossible for us and our next generation to control it tomorrow. Start with a small step, our one single step can change our future. So don’t just talk about it let us all unite against smog and control it practically.
