The growing Pakistani carbon footprint threatening quality of life

Environmental pollution is a rapidly growing threat in Pakistan which is damaging the climate and human and wildlife health. Highly inefficient energy use, the accelerated growth of vehicle population, increasing industrial activity without adequate air emission treatment or control, open burning of solid waste, including plastic, use of ozone depleting substances (ODSs), pressure horns, use of generators in industries and CNG stations, the noise from vehicles and auto rickshaws and loud speakers are some of the major causes of the deterioration of the ambient air quality as well as the overall climate.
According to the official data available at the District Environment Department, rapidly growing energy demand, fuel substitution such as coal and oil were the key factors contributing to air pollution. The state of air quality has been assessed by examining the emission levels of air pollutants and ambient air quality.
The average increase in sulphur dioxide across major emitting sectors like industry, transport and power has increased 23-fold over the past 25 years. Similarly, nitrogen oxides increased 25 times in the power sector and carbon dioxide increased an average of 4 times. However, Pakistan’s per capita greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are far below the global average.
Ambient air quality data shows that carbon monoxide levels in Karachi and Lahore considerably exceed WHO’s recommended levels while particulate matter content cross safety levels in the major industrial cities in the Punjab province.
According to the District Environment Department, thousands of two stroke auto rickshaws are continuously damaging the climate by emitting noise and contaminated smoke.
The city government, acting on the recommendations given by the Environment Protection Agency, the Transport Department and other government and private agencies, had banned the use of two stroke auto rickshaw and motorcycle rickshaw in December 2005 due to their damaging effect on the environment.
However, the ban was revoked after the rickshaw drivers went on strike against the move.
Another major issue causing environmental pollution is the improper dumping of waste. The dumping sites at various city locations were allocated to dump 7800 tonnes of solid waste. However, the people living around the dumping site at Kahna complained of severe health issues.
The management of private housing colonies and factories throw their waste in various drains and the River Ravi causing water pollution.
Lahore also has large industrial units that are operating without proper planning. Another alarming threat to the environment is the hospital waste which is capable of spreading deadly diseases. The city government started a campaign to ensure the proper disposal of hospital waste through incinerators and so far, 135 hospital and clinics have been fined.