Introduction: Smog as a daily reality
In Lahore, the arrival of smog marks a growing climate story that unfolds at street level. Dr. Farah Waseem, a young physician in her early 30s, feels the rush of dusty, burnt air the moment she steps outside each morning. For her and her patients, the fog isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a silent indicator of broader shifts in weather, pollution, and public health. This season’s poor air quality has become a visible symptom of climate change converging with urban life, compressing years of environmental policy debate into a single, urgent health crisis.
From clinical notes to climate context
“The air smells dusty and burnt,” Dr. Waseem says, describing the throat irritation and eye symptoms she and her parents experience. Those symptoms aren’t merely seasonal nuisances; they sit at the intersection of respiratory health and environmental policy. In clinic waiting rooms, she sees more patients with wheeze, cough, and throat irritation—conditions that disproportionately affect children, the elderly, and those with existing lung conditions. The pattern, she notes, aligns with rising particulate matter in the air linked to industrial activity, stubble burning, and vehicle emissions—factors intensified by climate pressures and local meteorology.
Why a Gen Z doctor is sounding the alarm
Dr. Waseem identifies as part of a generation that grew up with climate data at their fingertips and medical training increasingly recognizing environmental determinants of health. Her concern isn’t a detached academic argument; it’s practical medicine. She pushes for stronger air-quality monitoring, public advisories on high-smog days, and hospital protocols to shield patients during spikes in pollution. By framing climate change as a health issue, she hopes to mobilize everyday citizens—especially younger audiences who will inherit the consequences of today’s policies.
Health impacts that go beyond a day’s breath
Short-term exposure to polluted air can trigger asthma flares, bronchitis, and eye irritation. Long-term exposure raises concerns about chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular strain, and reduced lung development in children. Dr. Waseem emphasizes that the air we breathe shapes our lungs, our susceptibility to infections, and even our mood and cognitive function. In a city where the smog season stretches across months, the cumulative toll is not a single headline—it’s an ongoing public-health challenge that requires sustained attention.
Policy, action, and accountability
Her advocacy extends beyond the clinic walls. Dr. Waseem calls for comprehensive policy measures: stronger emissions controls, incentives for cleaner energy, and transparent, real-time air-quality data that communities can understand. She also highlights the need for climate-resilient healthcare—ensuring hospitals have air filtration, mobile clinics on high-pollution days, and community health workers trained to recognize pollution-related illnesses. The goal is not alarmism but proactive care and prevention, anchored in credible science and local needs.
Community-driven solutions
Community groups, teachers, and religious and civic leaders are essential partners in translating climate-health science into daily practice. Dr. Waseem advocates simple, practical steps for families: masking on peak pollution days, using public transit or carpooling to reduce traffic emissions, and supporting green spaces that improve city air. Schools and workplaces can implement air-quality alerts and indoor air-filtration standards to protect vulnerable populations, turning climate awareness into everyday habits.
Looking ahead: Hope rooted in action
Smog season in Lahore is not just a meteorological event; it’s a telling signal about how climate change reshapes health outcomes. For Dr. Farah Waseem and many other young doctors, the path forward blends clinical vigilance with public advocacy. Her work demonstrates how compassionate healthcare, informed by climate science, can inspire communities to demand cleaner air and a healthier future. The generation that grew up with climate data may be uniquely positioned to move climate health from awareness to policy and practice.
