Toxic breaths

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The contamination of the environment by toxic and unwanted particles is called pollution. It can be of land, air, or water. Pollution is not confined to any specific territory, ethnicity, or region but it is linked with humans. Every place occupied by humans is polluted if the waste is not properly disposed of or supersedes the ability of nature to bear it. Pollution can be called as destruction of nature and it does not only have short-term implications but its long-term effects are also very hazardous.

Humans made progress. They inhabited lands and developed cities. They grew in population and with them, their waste piled up. Pollution rose not just because of waste but of living a more advanced and facilitated life,hukans compromised nature by inserting harmful contaminants in it and diminishing the ability of nature as well to neutralize their effects. Nature is in peril from sky-high frosty mountains to high-debth oceans. Annually billions of tonnes of waste are produced. Plastic use is at its zenith and according to an estimate of current use of plastic, in 2050, there will be more plastic in oceans than fishes.

Pakistan is a naturally blessed country. It has been blessed with different seasons and weather. The natural weather pattern was sufficient to keep the land fertile and productive. In the north, frosty and snowy glaciers along with charm are a source of freshwater for the whole country. Down to this are the fertile lands of Punjab and Sindh and the rugged dry mountains of Kpk and Balochistan are great sources of minerals, metals, and alloys.

But the environment in Pakistan is being polluted rapidly. Pakistan is relentlessly exploiting its natural resources without paying much attention to their long-term effects. By adopting short-term solutions to problems, Pakistan is destroying its environment. Excessive chopping of trees has reduced the green belt and the natural sinks of carbon are depleting making metro cuties, and urban heat islands.

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There are plenty of environmental issues that can be mentioned. Pollution is present in many forms and is affecting in many ways but I will mention here the type of pollution that has emerged recently and is very hazardous i.e Smog. Smog is a combination of smoke and fog and takes grips on the atmosphere in the starting phase of winter. It is not the issue of Pakistan only but all the sub-continent countries are being affected by it.

The dust particles, particulate matter, chemicals, smoke, and fog droplets get stuck in the air. The wind usually does not blow during that period so they remain suspended not for days but for weeks compromising the health of residents. The major causes behind smog are:

Stubble burning
Vehicular emissions
Industrial expulsions
Development projects
Deforestation
Burning of waste
Tyee and plastic burning.

The abovementioned are the causes that congregate together to produce lethal smog. Smog along with major respiratory and cardiovascular disorders causes worsening of allergy and premature births. The quality of life reduces not only for humans but also for plants and animals as smog retards the sunlight from reaching the ground.

A wholesome approach is needed to apprehend this issue. Only one person, organization, or department can do it alone. A joint approach is needed by the affected countries. International policymaking is a need of the hour and implementation of that policy is inevitable. SAARC organization can leverage its position to address this issue.

On a national level, foremost of all stubble burning will have to be banned and alternative methods should be provided to farmers. Banning inefficient vehicles that excrete highly toxic smoke can also be handy. Industrial smoke expulsion units should be equipped with the necessary filters to stop as much toxic chemicals as possible. The green belt should be increased. More plants should be planted. Awareness campaigns should also be run to teach the community. This is only how smog can be apprehended.

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