In this blog, we will talk about 10 ways to reduce air pollution. Referring to current weather conditions in Pakistan, especially in Punjab, this topic is very important due to its adverse effects on all of us. Pakistan is facing severe smog, which needs to be mitigated.
Before explaining the 10 ways to reduce air pollution, you need to understand what exactly air pollution is, its causes, and why it is necessary to take precautionary measures to reduce its damage and protect ourselves. Let’s explore it.
What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive substances (pollutants) such as dust, chemicals, particulate matter (tiny particles), gases (like carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides) enter the atmosphere and make the air less clean.
Every year, 7 million people die due to exposure to both outdoor and indoor air pollution. These pollutants make it difficult to breathe and harm our health. One type of air pollution is SMOG, which we are going to discuss later in this article.
Why is Mitigating Smog Important?
Smog is also a special type of air pollution that is very dangerous to life on Earth. It is basically a combination of chemical pollutants or smoke with the fog. Smog looks like a haze or fog; actually, it is not the normal fog but is filled with dangerous substances.
Pakistan has been badly affected by smog recently. Since 2018, Lahore has been the second-largest and most polluted city in Pakistan, which has been overwhelmed by heavy smog recently. The worsening air quality of the city is due to urbanisation and industrialisation.
An AQI above 100 is considered unhealthy, and above 150 is considered very unhealthy. Last year, in 2024, the capital city of Punjab was declared the most polluted city in the world, with an alarming Air Quality Index of 394.
Also, the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere was around 207.1 µg/m³ in 2024. It is 41.4 times higher than the guideline of the annual air quality set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
According to a recent report, in 2025, Lahore and Karachi were among the top five most polluted cities in the world. Lahore continued to experience persistent dry conditions and rising air pollution, which kept the city and other Punjab districts under the grip of smog.
According to the provincial government, it is also predicted that Smog will intensify across Lahore and other parts of Punjab. This is due to a combination of local emissions and pollutants carried by low-speed winds from India, following Diwali celebrations.
Causes of Smog in Pakistan
Smog usually arrives in late October every year in Pakistan. Let’s find out what the major reasons are for smog in Pakistan.
- Crop burning in neighbouring India
- Traffic and Industrial Pollution
- Unchecked Urbanisation & Construction
- Poor Road Infrastructure
What are the Harmful Effects of Smog?
Continuing to breathe in the toxic air leads to a rapid sprouting of multiple health-related problems. Also, it raises concerns about the long-term harmful effects on public health. Long-term exposure to harmful pollutants during smog may cause health problems such as:
- Asthma
- Decrease immunity
- Heart attacks
- Respiratory failures
- Circulatory conditions
- Allergies
- Miscarriages
- Strokes
- Nausea
- Cancer
- Premature death
Moreover, smog has adverse effects on infant health and pregnant women and their fetuses. Research has shown that smog can be linked to babies born with birth defects such as neural tube defects that cause underdevelopment or absence of one part, or all of the brain.
It also has a harmful effect on Pakistan’s environment, leading to fragile agriculture in Pakistan. Likewise, smog also has a strong impact on tourism and results in economic losses.
One research study stated that Pakistan has a significant decrease in wheat (34-46%), barley (13-44%) and rice yield (37-42%), transpiration rate, plant height, photosynthetic activity, and stomatal conductance due to smog.
Why This Matters to PGC?
The current situation in Pakistan is expected to worsen. This is due to the absence of the government’s active action plan and a failure to take action by concerned authorities in this urgent situation.
The PGC has a mission of educating the youth and helping them unlock their true potential. We are building a society that is wise, intelligent, and educated. At the same time, PGC has recognised the problem of smog and air pollution in Pakistan, especially in Punjab.
PGC’s purpose is to raise awareness, educate students, and give action steps to reduce air pollution and smog. Some initiatives of PGC are:
- Plant Pakistan Plant Initiative
- Going Solar
- Going Paperless
- Social Media Campaigns
You can help yourself, your family, and your community by following the 10 ways to reduce air pollution.
PGC offered 10 ways to Reduce Air Pollution
We all need to take precautionary measures to protect ourselves from the detrimental effects of smog. These precautionary measures can be taken at the personal and societal levels. Here are the 10 ways to reduce air pollution.
Plant More Trees & Green Spaces
There is a need to plant more trees and generate more green spaces. This is because trees and plants act like natural air filters. They trap dust and small particles and absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
You can plant or look after trees in the school yard or in your neighbourhood. Moreover, you can help with tree-plantation drives and support green spaces around the city.
Use Cleaner Energy & Avoid Open Burning
We need to use clean sources like solar power, wind, or more efficient fuel, instead of burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, wood). Also, it is necessary to avoid open burning of garbage, leaves, or crop residues. You also need to conserve electricity and avoid using it unnecessarily.
Use Public Transport, Bicycles, or Walk More
A large number of emissions are produced from cars, motorbikes, and other vehicles that cause air pollution and smog. You can easily reduce these emissions by using public buses, cycling, walking, and car-pooling.
Maintain Vehicles & Use Clean Fuel
Another way to resolve smog is the proper maintenance of vehicles. In this way, they emit less pollutants and run more efficiently. Also, it is recommended to use a high-quality fuel because its burning will cause fewer harmful gases in the air.
Reduce Construction Dust
Another big contributor to air pollution is the construction, road work, brick kilns, and open burning. It will produce large amounts of dust and soot. You can use dust suppression or sprinkler covers to avoid dust entering the environment during construction.
Use Energy-Efficient Appliances & Reduce Waste
Another solution to reduce air pollution is to use those appliances that are energy savers. These appliances will produce fewer emissions. Moreover, you can reduce waste by avoiding printing too many papers but going paperless by preferring digital means.
Raise Awareness & Educate Others
There is a need to create awareness for other people because knowledge has the power to do anything. Educating others on precautionary measures will help them to act against air pollution and smog. For this purpose, you can join different societies, clubs, and campaigns and use social media to raise awareness regarding air pollution.
Monitor Air Quality & Take Precautions
Avoid outdoor activities and follow safety precautions during severe smog conditions. This includes avoiding exercise outside, wearing a mask, and keeping windows and doors closed. To check the Air Quality Index (AQI), you can use different tools, apps, or websites.
Support Policies & Community Efforts
Supporting policies and participating in efforts to reduce air pollution on a large scale are other solutions to reduce air pollution. It is not a single man’s show but a collective act of governments, schools, and communities.
Practice Good Habits at Home & School Every Day
Even a small habit change can make a big difference. You can take small daily actions that add up over time to a big change in reducing air pollution. These actions include avoiding burning trash, cleaning air filters, asking for well-ventilated classrooms, taking public transport, and avoiding wasting electricity.
Wrap Up
Air pollution is one of the biggest problems the world faces today. Following the 10 ways to reduce air pollution, presented by PGC, can help in achieving clean air and avoiding public health issues. PGC believes that education is about building a healthier and cleaner future, along with reading books. We collectively work together to reduce smog, take real precautionary measures, and make our cities greener.
It’s time to promise to care for our Earth, because together, we can breathe better in clean air and live better!