How to reduce pollution from coal-fired kilns in Bangladesh

Environmentalist explains major hurdles in Pakistan’s effort to implement anti-smog policies Article: Environmentalist Maryam Shabbir has outlined the key difficulties in putting into action the policies designed to deal with the smog situation in Pakistan. She pointed out that the main hurdles in implementing anti-smog measures are often related to a lack of coordination between different government departments and a failure to properly enforce the existing rules. Shabbir also highlighted that a significant challenge is getting the public to fully support and follow the guidelines. People often do not have enough awareness about how serious the smog issue is, or how important it is to change their behavior, such as avoiding crop burning. Furthermore, she noted that resource limitations, including a shortage of technical expertise and necessary equipment for monitoring and controlling pollution sources, slow down effective implementation. According to Shabbir, for smog policies to succeed, the government needs a unified approach, consistent enforcement, and strong public education campaigns. #SmogInPakistan #EnvironmentalPolicy #AirPollution #MaryamShabbir #ClimateAction

📢 New Publication Alert! I’m thrilled to share that our research paper titled, “Identifying Environmental Factors Influencing the Concentration, Fluxes and Spatial Distribution of Microplastic Pollution in an Urban River: A Case Study of the Klip River, South Africa,” has been published in Water, Air & Soil Pollution (Springer Nature). 📄 DOI: https://lnkd.in/dkhN2rJB This study explores how land use, rainfall, hydrology and other catchment characteristics influence the concentration of microplastics in one of Johannesburg’s urban rivers. We found that informal settlements, urban runoff and return flows play a significant role in microplastic pollution, highlighting the urgent need for improved waste management and wetland conservation strategies in developing urban contexts. A heartfelt thank you to co-authors Prof. Christopher Curtis and Dr. Neil Griffin for their invaluable guidance and support throughout this journey. Proud to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on freshwater microplastic pollution in Africa - an area where data and research remain limited but increasingly critical for sustainable water resource management. #Research #Microplastics #EnvironmentalScience #UrbanRivers #WaterQuality #Sustainability #SouthAfrica #AcademicPublishing #GIS

2025 #AQLIReport Top Chart 5⃣: When countries meet their national standards, life expectancy improves History has proven the power of policy efforts to reduce #pollution: ▶️ In the United States, residents are exposed to 62% less particulate pollution than they would have been prior to the passage of the Clean Air Act (1.3 years gain in life expectancy). ▶️ In Europe, residents are exposed to about 32.4% less pollution than before the Air Quality Framework Directive started (5 months gain in life expectancy). ▶️ China now meets its national standard and residents are living 1.8 years longer because of the policy changes that led to a 40.8% reduction in pollution since “war against pollution” in 2014. Learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/etf4TAyG #AQLI #UChiAir

Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of Urban River Pollution in Bangladesh: A Case of Buriganga https://lnkd.in/g3kJsdjJ #CPER #BurigangaRiver #waterpollution #socioeconomicimpacts #ecologicaldegradation #quantitativeanalysis #SDG #Bangladesh

Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of Urban River Pollution in Bangladesh: A Case of Buriganga https://lnkd.in/g3kJsdjJ #CPER #BurigangaRiver #waterpollution #socioeconomicimpacts #ecologicaldegradation #quantitativeanalysis #SDG #Bangladesh

Pakistan is renowned for its high-quality marble varieties, including Black and Gold, Ziarat White and Sunny White, sunny grey, Badal are popular for their bright, elegant appearance; and creamy options like Botticino Cream and Verona, praised for their refined patterns. The marble industry in Pakistan causes significant environmental impacts, including severe water, air, and land pollution due to untreated waste dumping. Wastewater from factories contaminates rivers, harming aquatic life and making the water unusable. Marble dust contaminates the air and soil, reducing soil fertility and increasing its alkalinity. The lack of proper regulations and waste management leads to substantial environmental degradation and poses public health risks.

🌫️ Punjab’s Anti-Smog Cannons Innovation or Illusion? The Government of Punjab has recently deployed anti-smog fog cannons across several urban zones to help reduce particulate pollution and improve air quality. These machines spray ultra-fine mist to capture dust and pollutants, creating the impression of cleaner air. While this initiative reflects a commendable sense of urgency and innovation in addressing one of Pakistan’s most persistent environmental challenges, the scientific reality is more complex. 🔹 What’s good: The move signals visible action and public commitment. It raises awareness about smog a crisis that severely affects public health, especially in Lahore and other cities that frequently breach PM2.5 limits. 🔹 What’s questionable: Studies and field evidence suggest that fog cannons provide only temporary relief and do not address the root causes of smog vehicle emissions, industrial pollutants, crop residue burning, and construction dust. Experts warn that misting large areas can even enhance fine-particle formation under certain atmospheric conditions, while also consuming vast quantities of water up to 360,000 litres per day per unit. 🔹 What’s truly needed: To clear the air for good, Pakistan needs an integrated air quality management strategy combining strict emission controls, cleaner fuels, upgraded brick kilns, mass transit, waste-burning bans, and transparent air-monitoring data. Anti-smog cannons may help in specific micro-locations, but they should remain a supportive tool, not a substitute for systemic reform. Visibility is not victory. Let’s hope this visible action becomes a catalyst for deeper change where our cities breathe cleaner air not just for a day, but for a generation. 💭 What’s your take? Are smog cannons a smart step forward, or a symbolic gesture that distracts from real solutions? #AirQuality #Smog #Environment #Punjab #Pakistan #Sustainability #CleanAir #PublicHealth #ClimateAction

🌿 Protecting the Shella Water Catchment Area – Safeguarding Lamu’s Lifeline The Shella Water Catchment, covering approximately 11 square kilometers, remains one of Lamu’s most vital natural assets. It serves as a critical recharge zone for groundwater aquifers that supply clean and safe water to Shella, Lamu Town, and surrounding communities. Protecting this catchment area is not only an environmental priority but a foundation for sustainable water security. When the catchment is conserved—through controlled water extraction, reforestation, and pollution prevention—it ensures continuous groundwater recharge, maintains water quality, and reduces the risks of sea water intrusion. As population growth and development continue to exert pressure on this fragile ecosystem, collective action from the community, government, and stakeholders is essential. Responsible stewardship today guarantees that future generations will continue to draw life from the same natural reservoir that sustains us now. 💧 Protect the catchment. Preserve the source. Secure our future. #WaterConservation #Lamu #ShellaCatchment #SustainableDevelopment #GroundwaterProtection #ClimateResilience

In China's Qianjiangyuan National Park, heavy metal levels in paddy soil were assessed as overall low level pollution, but Cr, Ni and As coming from the combination sources of human and nature were identified with ecological and health risks, which could be more dangerous for children. 👇 #soil #ecological Bulletin of Soil and Water Conservation https://lnkd.in/grX9V_ga

Reflections on Environmental Contamination in Bangladesh After conducting research on groundwater, food systems, and sediment contamination in Bangladesh and after reading hundreds of scientific papers, I have been deeply troubled by the knowledge of realities and the probable looming health crises. Bangladesh, one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, faces an alarming level of pollution across water, air, and soil. The water quality in many regions is so poor that safe drinking water should depend on advanced filtration systems, something far beyond the reach of most households. The air we breathe is also toxic, silently destroying our health every day. And as if that weren’t enough, our food chain is increasingly contaminated with heavy metals, microplastics, chemical additives, and other harmful substances. The intertwining of environmental and social injustice adds a further layer of complexity. The most vulnerable communities, who contribute the least to pollution, get affected the most. Facing these imbalances has strengthened my determination to pursue data-driven, sustainable solutions that promote environmental health and social equity. #EnvironmentalJustice #ClimateChange #PublicHealth #Sustainability #Bangladesh #EnvironmentalScience