Climate Change: A Call to Action from Nature?
Naeem Ahmed
Faisalabad: In our childhood, tales of great civilizations succumbing to climate shifts or colossal creatures like dinosaurs facing extinction were confined to folklore and Hollywood narratives. Now, however, these once-distant scenarios have materialized into real threats.
Despite Pakistan’s minimal contribution to global carbon emissions, it finds itself among the nations hardest hit by climate change.
According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2023, Pakistan holds the alarming fifth position among countries bearing the brunt of climate change.
A stark reminder of Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change manifested in the devastating floods of 2022, which inflicted over $15 billion in losses. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported a tragic toll of more than 1,100 lives lost and a staggering 3.5 million people affected.
The deluge ravaged 9.5 million homes and structures, while rural areas mourned the loss of over 800,000 cattle. Similarly, the catastrophic super flood of 2010 wrought widespread destruction, claiming over 1,700 lives and impacting more than 2 million individuals.
Crop devastation engulfed 20 percent of the nation’s cultivable land, with over 1.1 million homes damaged. The economic fallout amounted to a staggering loss of 1.71 trillion rupees, necessitating an additional 1.156 trillion rupees for reconstruction efforts.
Pakistan grapples with formidable challenges posed by climate change, exacerbated by its geographical positioning and economic vulnerabilities. Water scarcity looms large as a pressing concern, with the nation’s water needs heavily reliant on the Indus Basin Treaty.
Already strained, Pakistan’s water systems face further jeopardy from climate-induced alterations to hydrological patterns, compounded by the looming specter of glacier melt and irregular precipitation.
These circumstances underscore the pivotal role of controlling or mitigating local factors contributing to climate change in ensuring Pakistan’s survival and integrity. Urgent measures are needed to bolster the efficiency of relevant institutions tasked with disaster prevention, fortify infrastructure resilience, and equip citizens with the skills to navigate emergency situations through effective early warning systems.
Furthermore, investing in rainwater harvesting systems and transitioning from flood to drip irrigation can alleviate water scarcity pressures. Protecting the agricultural sector entails significant investment in research to develop resilient seed varieties and modernizing farming techniques.
Reducing reliance on fossil fuels and promoting renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro power can curtail air pollution and carbon emissions.
Government-level policies aimed at mitigating climate change drivers are imperative, alongside efforts to advocate for technology transfer and international cooperation to bolster Pakistan’s capacity to address environmental challenges.
The agricultural sector bears the brunt of these changes, grappling with dwindling water resources and erratic weather conditions.
As a cornerstone of both employment and food security, the sector’s susceptibility to rising temperatures, untimely rains, floods, and droughts threatens livelihoods and exacerbates food insecurity.
Moreover, these environmental upheavals wreak havoc on lives, property, and critical infrastructure, inflicting substantial economic losses. Concurrently, shifting climatic patterns contribute to the proliferation of health issues, with diseases like dengue fever on the rise.
Urbanization and industrial expansion further compound the crisis, driving up the demand for fossil fuels and exacerbating air pollution, smog, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Addressing these multifaceted challenges demands urgent action, robust policy frameworks, and concerted efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change while fostering sustainable development pathways for Pakistan’s future.
Furthermore, these initiatives can be enhanced by raising awareness among local communities about the impacts of climate change and involving them in local decision-making processes. The role of local governments is crucial in this regard.
Additionally, integrating climate change topics into school curricula is essential to equip the younger generation with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and confront this challenge effectively.
By doing so, Pakistan can contribute to global efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Ultimately, prioritizing the conservation of natural systems rather than disrupting them unnecessarily will not only benefit the planet but also mitigate the risks associated with climate change on a global scale.
The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.
The writer, with a decade-long background in journalism, has consistently highlighted societal issues and inequalities, advocating for the rights of marginalized communities. He tweets @naeemahmad876
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