THE polluted environment and the consequent climate change phenomenon represent a threat to humanity. The outbreak of deadly diseases, like Covid and dengue, and other factors, such as rising temperature, global warming, earth-quakes, heatwaves, floods and smog, are together wreaking a havoc like never before.

The developed countries of the world are responsible for environmental pollution, but, ironically, the developing countries bear the brunt of the climate change phenomenon. On their part, the developing countries make life tougher with toxic smoke from mills, factories, brick-kilns, burning of crops and vehicular traffic.

Conferences are convened and talks are held to address the issue, but no concrete measures are adopted thereafter. Mere lip service will not be sufficient if the signed agreements are not implemented in letter and in spirit.

The smog in Lahore has brought the daily activities of life to a standstill. Schools have been shut down and 50 per cent of the staff is allowed to attend their respective offices. Such stopgap steps are not going to produce tangible results.

Mindless cutting of trees for commercial purposes is also a major cause of deteriorating quality of air. People are falling prey to various respiratory diseases by inhaling toxic particles from the atmosphere. Reforestation is the need of the hour.

Also, at individual level, people must plant trees to fight atmospheric adulteration. Maintaining a healthy environment is the responsibility of everyone and we all must work together to achieve the target which, as is obvious, is only as logical as it is essential.

Muhammad Fayyaz Nawrha
Mianwali

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2021