Fizza Shakeel

Some days ago, Dawn newspaper displayed a cartoon that depicted a threatening and murderous skeleton with a black hooded robe holding a scythe in his hand hovering over Minar-e-Pakistan, a monument in Lahore. This haunting depiction symbolized the pervasive threat of smog, portraying it as a grim reaper poised to wreak havoc and inflict harm. By personifying smog in this manner, the cartoon vividly conveyed the alarming and lethal consequences of air pollution, underscoring its grave impact on public health and well-being. Through powerful imagery, the cartoon served as a stark reminder of the urgent need for collective action to address the environmental crisis specifically in Lahore, and mitigate the harmful effects of pollution for the safety and survival of all.

As December is ending the smog intensifying in Lahore and some other cities with highly dangerous air quality index. This mixture of fog and smoke is making life difficult for the citizens of cities mostly the vulnerable ones. Though, every citizen and breathing body is vulnerable some with existing respiratory diseases, and ophthalmological problems face severe side effects of this dancing and dangerous gray foggy body upon us.

While discussing with some teenage students who have to go outside for their schooling and other academic activities, they mentioned, “Our outdoor activities and games are stopped because of this bad weather.” Activities like playing cricket, badminton, and others at night are not easy to enjoy. Firstly, due to visibility, and secondly, the polluted air makes breathing difficult even for a healthy person.

A 14-year-old boy named Ali with already weak eyesight said “I can’t enjoy our games in winter with smog like I do in any other weather. My eyes start hurting and the irritation with a burning sensation persists. It forced me to restrain meeting friends outside and quit our weekly cricket match in the colony’s ground.” Also, this teenage boy like every other boy in Pakistan is crazy for cricket yet smog influenced his decision to play. This boy was unhappy and wanted authorities to take strict action that control the severity of smog.

Another boy named Hamza same as the age above-mentioned boy, also said that his routine was harshly disturbed by the smog. He went to the academy in the evening because of time suitability. “My travel from home to the academy and then from the academy to home on a bike with my elder brother is troubled. In extreme cold days with heavy fog and smog, we risk our lives, in sense of health and safety as the visibility is decreased.” Although winter is a tough season for bikers because of the cold weather, the declined visibility is becoming the leading cause of several accidents.

Sehrish, a student in the ninth class spoke about the effects of smog on her life because she has been a patient with asthma since birth. She said, “I have to stop going to school when the air gets smoggy because it’s hard for me to breathe. This makes my health worse.” Her asthma which is a respiratory health condition is becoming a punishment for her as her enthusiasm for study face pauses.

So does the whole Lahore struggle to breathe? Yes! As the weather becomes smoggier day by day, Lahore screams for the government and authorities to intervene and help the helpless Lahore.

Ali, Hamza, and Sehrish are ready to play their potential roles to delimit the dark effects of smog with their fellows. The youth, mainly the teenagers who are adversely affected by this catastrophic change in environment, are passionate and daring enough to work in their capacities. 

If they are encouraged effectively and asked to come up with their innovative ideas then definitely change is promised. The efforts of youth along with the relative authorities and organizations can play a proactive role in advocating for cleaner air and implementing eco-friendly practices. Their collective effort, action, determination, and movement toward a healthier and greener future will make our future healthy.

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The author is from the department of Development Communication at the University of Punjab, Lahore.
Source (cover photo): The Friday Times