Breathing Crisis: Ecological Perspectives on Climate Change and Smog in Pakistan
“What we do today determines our tomorrow.” – Marie Curie
Pakistan is in the eye of the storm because it’s an environmental disaster or the aftereffects of climate change which is most felt. These are not only detrimental to the overall health of the populace but also to the economy and the balance within nature. However, such challenges can be approached in an optimistic way by first seeking the root of the problems and moving towards the solutions. Pakistan is amongst the countries which are most prone to climate change effects which has led to sequential episodes of floods, dry seasons and extreme heat. Factors such as the melting of glaciers in the Himalayan region or unsteady monsoons and increase in temperature serve to widen the crisis. Hence these climatic variations not only disrupt the balance of the flora and fauna living systems but also bring about the increased tensions for water and food supply. For example, the recent deluges have caused extensive loss of crops, caused dislocation among over 6 million people, and prompted encouragement for the implementation of Practices on sustainable water management. If the improved efforts continue to be absent in terms of mitigation frameworks, then climate risks would mean an added burden on the already weak economy of Pakistan. In Lahore, urban areas are plagued annually by smog. Lahore has experienced extreme levels of air pollution during smog, with an Air Quality Index of 607, which is considered extremely hazardous (150 is safe). The main contributing factors include the burning of crops, emissions from vehicles, and industrial emissions due to the usage of cheaper fuel. Apart from aggravating respiratory diseases, smog also hinders normal activities and decreases economic output. Even with measures like electric buses, anti-smog teams and rigorous checking of factories, implementation of such measures to bring lasting change has been poor. As far as the environmental rights are concerned, the Pakistan judiciary has been very active in safeguarding the rights of the citizens. Right to enjoy a healthy and clean environment was also upheld in number of cases including Sheila Zia case v WAPDA and Leghari Asghar v Government of Pakistan. Furthermore, the new addition of Article 9A also empowers citizens to seek accountability from the representative for failure to enact legislation on pollution and other environmental destruction Climate change or smog cannot be tackled in a simplistic manner, it requires a comprehensive strategy:
• Transition to Green Energy: More and more renewable energy projects can help to wean the world off fossil fuels.
• Regional Partnerships: Such projects with countries such as India can help resolve the same problems of smog affected both countries.
• Conscientising the People: It is also possible to encourage ordinary people in many countries to adopt environmentally sustainable behaviors.
Sustainable development and legal measures can assist Pakistan in making sure such areas are dealt with while enabling a secure future for the citizens. The state of the environment is critical. It has never been more important to act and implement sustainable policies to solve the problem as smog becomes more prevalent and glaciers continue to recede.