“In Lahore, Pakistan, fourteen-year-old Fatima wakes up on a Monday morning in early November with a cough and fever. She describes feeling the smog seeping in through the rooftop as she rubs her eyes behind her thick glasses. The city is engulfed in a thick, grey haze, suffocating its residents during the winter months. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached dangerously high levels, far beyond what is considered safe for human health. Pakistani environmental lawyer Ahmad Rafay Alam describes the situation as a yearlong, regional public health emergency, affecting cities from Kabul to Calcutta. Lahore, in particular, is plagued by a mix of vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, brick kiln fumes, and residue from crop burning, making it one of the world’s most polluted cities. As a result, primary schools in Lahore have been closed to protect children’s health, leaving Fatima and her siblings confined indoors. Their father tries to uplift their spirits by engaging them in drawing activities, where they express their frustrations and hopes through their artwork. The smog crisis not only affects their physical health but also poses long-term risks, as experts warn of potential lung diseases and other health issues, akin to the effects of smoking. Children in polluted areas are found to have lower haemoglobin levels and are at a higher risk of developing anaemia and other health problems. Despite the challenges posed by the smog crisis, the children’s drawings reflect a sense of optimism and a belief that air pollution can be overcome.”
