With the horrifying accidents that recently took place due to the heavy smog carpeting one’s field of vision, this less than natural phenomenon is causing panic across Pakistan. Pakistanis are calling upon the government to take measures against the havoc-wreaking atmospheric changes; maybe we should take a leaf out of China’s book and ban barbecues as well.
That’s right. Instead of limiting the use of motor vehicles or emissions from factories, China’s capital Beijing, the hub of pollution, has placed a blanket ban on slow-cooking meat outdoors, claiming that food cooked in this way is a major contributor towards the negative climatic impact. The ban has been placed ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, with hopes that Beijing is to host the event. A similar law in Pakistan would engender mutiny – we are very fond of our grilled meats, and besides, we’re pretty sure we’ve found the actual cause of the anomaly.
According to a report by NASA, widespread crop-burning in Jalandhar, India, has led to the smoke and ashes drifting all the way to Lahore. Around 32 million tonnes of left-over straw is set on fire because the farmers cannot afford alternative, more expensive methods. Yet again, Pakistanis are convinced that this is another propaganda set up by the Indian government to try to make us Pakistani lions concede to their power. Never mind the heavy pollution from our coal-factories, deforestation, certain “development projects” cars, buses, and other industries; the culprit is always India.
Apart from putting away our barbecue pits and pointing fingers, we could install top-notch equipment that could calculate how much pollution the average individual is exposed to on a daily basis (like Delhi has done with the Center for Science and Environment). By doing so, we could analyse how serious the problem at hand actually is. Once appropriate date has been collected, certain steps can be taken to tackle the issue appropriately; for example, carbon taxes can be placed on heavy motor-vehicle users or rickshaw drivers. Taxes could also be imposed on firms and factories whose production processes exacerbate the environment.
Pakistanis should be made aware of preventive checks that they can make use of on a daily basis. Wearing a face mask that filters pollutants is a great help, as well as staying indoors when smog levels are abnormally high or avoiding congested areas. We could also contribute towards smog-elimination by walking or cycling instead of driving or taking a taxi.
Whatever policies are used, there should be no doubt that there is a need for a comprehensive action plan that takes the despairing situation into account and attempts to address it in the best manner possible. The government should enlighten us about our own contributions towards the deteriorating atmosphere; what a change that would be from pinning the blame on RAW agents instead!
What to do now that we are as much to blame as India is ?!?!
Kluchit Staff
Neeshay Imran
