Kuala Lampur, Oct. 7 -- September 7 marks the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019 and observed annually since 2020. It is an occasion to reflect on something so essential to life that we often take it for granted: clean air and blue skies.

Every moment, we inhale and exhale without thinking. Most of the time, we barely notice the air around us.

For many working adults who leave home before daybreak and return only after sunset, even the sight of a clear blue sky can sometimes feel like a luxury.

It is usually only when the haze returns that we begin to pay attention.

The sky changes colour. Visibility drops. Outdoor activities are cancelled. Schools and families begi...