In November, a thick blanket of smog engulfed Lahore and most of Punjab,
causing serious health risks and public outcry. With toxins over 30
times the safe limits, citizens experienced panic and despair at the
serious health effects, as well as anger and frustration at the
passivity of the government’s response. With limited action, everyone
looked at the heavens for rain to come and clear the air.
Smog
resulted in widespread illness, accidental deaths, a decline in
agricultural productivity, flight delays and even postponement of the
much-anticipated West Indies cricket series. The effects of smog have
been well documented. A recent study by the University of Oxford on
health and environment in emerging markets highlights increased
incidents of respiratory and coronary diseases and possibly mental
health problems as well.
I see three main narratives emerge regarding the smog phenomenon.
The
first highlights public uncertainty and scepticism on the causes and
effects of pollution. All of the usual suspects appear: vehicle
emissions, industrial pollution, waste and crop burning, construction,
tree cutting and diesel generators. Cross-border pollution and storms
from the Middle East are also mentioned. Without scientific analysis of
the sources of smog, identifying appropriate responses is, at best,
speculative and arbitrary.
This leads to the second
theme about the public demand for accurate information. What is not
measured is seldom counted in decision-making. Citizens want to know
precise air quality measures to take precautionary actions like wearing
masks or staying indoors. This public demand for data has pushed the
Punjab’s Environment Protection Department (EPD) to publish the daily
Ambient Air Quality Index. However, the EPD has only six meters in place
across Punjab offering general information. Effective responses,
however, require location specific data.
Finally, the
reality is that EPD is short-staffed, under-resourced and requires
proactive participation from many other agencies such as health,
planning and finance, over whom EPD has little influence. This limits
the effectiveness of the government response. It was only after the
Lahore High Court intervened last year that the EPD sprang into action
and formulated the Policy on Controlling Smog 2017. A review of the
policy, however, shows a wide wish list of responses such as improved
transportation, creating woodlands and industrial regulation, but with
vague or missing implementation.
So the question remains:
given our incomplete understanding of the smog challenge and weak
institutions, how do we move from policy to action? Smog, like many
other environmental and social challenges is considered a ‘wicked
problem’, which by definition has no simple solution and the required
responses exceed the capacity of any one agency. Yet, there is a way
forward.
First, it is acceptable to have divergent views
on the causes and responses to smog. Over time, backed by scientific
and social approaches, our understanding will improve, but this should
not stop us from taking action now with whatever knowledge we have. Many
of the causes and solutions seem obvious, like encouraging industry to
switch to cleaner fuel or adopt pollution control technologies.
Second,
we need to take an inclusive and participatory approach, since the
challenge is broad. Instead of relying simply on strict regulations to
enforce actions or fact-finding commissions, the state should facilitate
working group dialogue among possible polluters, farmers, civil
society, academia and policymakers to take ownership of the common
challenge and identify practical solutions.
Finally, no
plan is perfect, so experimentation and flexibility are important for
sustained action. There is no silver bullet against smog, so multiple
strategies need to be tried like enforcing strict industrial emission
standards along with greening public transportation. Failure of a
strategy should not be taken as a defeat or be subjected to political
mileage but rather as an iterative learning process for everyone to
achieve sustained action. Collectively, these steps can help us all move
closer to a solution.
With the arrival of rains this
year, the smog is lifting. But the underlying pollution remains and,
come next autumn, the smog will return. We are capable of taking certain
practical steps. It will be a shame if we are again just left to pray
for rain.
