POLLUTION in the country is making the environment unhealthy and unsuitable. Pakistan is among the few countries where child birth defects are on the increase, while the infant mortality rate has also been increasing at an alarming rate.

Pollution can be controlled if not eliminated through efforts to promote a green environment and ensure a proper disposal of waste. That is not all. The government and the public need to: 1) plant trees/cultivate gardens to curb air pollution; 2) switch off equipment using electricity when not in use; 3) use recyclable products, wherever possible and stop using plastic bags.

Other measures to reduce our carbon footprint is reducing the use of hazardous chemicals and reduce the use of heaters and air conditioners while increasing the use of public transport to reduce noise, air and other pollution.

We can save the planet by not disposing garbage, untreated sewage and plastic in oceans and rivers.

Syed Badeeul Hassan
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2019