ENVIRONMENTAL AND MEDICAL CHALLENGES OF SMOG: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE WITH FOCUS ON PAKISTAN'S ESL EDUCATION SYSTEM

Abstract

Smog, a harmful mixture of smoke and fog, poses significant environmental and health challenges worldwide. Root causes include vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and agricultural stubble burning, exacerbated by poor regulatory enforcement and climatic conditions. Its origins lie in the industrial revolution when massive coal burning and urbanization intensified air pollution. Pakistan faces a dire smog crisis, particularly during winter in urban areas like Lahore and Multan. Smog in Pakistan severely affects public health, causing respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and reduced life expectancy. Beyond health, it disrupts the education sector as schools, colleges and universities frequently close during peak smog seasons to protect children. Prolonged closures hinder academic progress and disproportionately affect underprivileged students who lack access to remote learning facilities, deepening educational inequities. This study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive air quality management in Pakistan to mitigate smog’s adverse effects. Effective solutions include transitioning to cleaner energy, enhancing public transportation, and strict enforcement of environmental regulations. Addressing smog is vital not only for public health but also for safeguarding Pakistan’s education system and its future generations. Pakistan, as a developing country, faced numerous challenges in online education. Key issues included the lack of a robust Learning Management System (LMS) and the complexities arising from being a multilingual nation. Students encountered significant difficulties in adapting to online learning environments, particularly in foreign language acquisition and maintaining educational continuity.