Climate has always played an essential part in the evolution of mankind and yet the majority never seems to be concerned about blemishing it, whilst we have almost destroyed the face of mother earth a large number of people dearth to even believe it’s real and, no... I am not making this up, there are actual cults that believe that global warming is a political conspiracy and shockingly the one’s that acknowledge its importance and destruction, cease to be seen making efforts for a healthier planet.
Climate change is likely to increase climate-related natural disasters, with the projected increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including but not limited to floods, droughts, cyclones, landslides triggered by heavy rains, urban flooding due to congestion of storm drainage. Climate change projections are scenario based, and hence have some degree of uncertainty. Nonetheless, there are strong indications that in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan, climate change is intensifying the mentioned hazards. Pakistan is already experiencing climate change impacts which are too visible to ignore. Most disasters or hazards that lead to destruction cannot be prevented; their impact however, can be minimized by adaptation and preparedness measures.
The predominant climate change threats to Pakistan are
Increased health risk and climate change induce migration.
Threat to coastal areas due to projected sea level rise and increased cyclonic activity due to higher sea surface temperature.
Projected recession of the Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalayan glaciers due to global warming and carbon soot deposits from trans boundary pollution sources threatening river water inflows into the Indus River System.
Considerable increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, coupled with erratic monsoon rains causing frequent and intense floods and droughts.
Further decrease in the already scanty forest cover, from too rapid change in climatic conditions to allow natural migration of adversely affected plants species.
And this list goes on and on;
Now let’s emphasise upon the cause with some facts and figures. However, let me be very clear that the facts stated belong to Pakistan ONLY.
The floods in Pakistan began in late July 2010, resulting from heavy monsoon rains in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and, Balochistan regions of Pakistan, which affected the Indus River basin. Approximately one-fifth of Pakistan’s total land area was affected by floods, with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province facing the brunt of the damage and casualties (above 90% of the deaths occurred in that Province). According to Pakistani government data, the floods directly affected about 20 million people, mostly by destruction of property, livelihood and infrastructure, with a death toll of close to 2,000, Causing a destruction of about 43 billion US dollars.
In September 2014, the Kashmir region suffered disastrous floods across many of its districts caused by torrential rainfall. The Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab were affected by these floods. By 24 September 2014, nearly 277 people in India and about 280 people in Pakistan had lost their lives due to these floods.
The 2017 floods in Karachi, is said to have killed at least the sum of 23 people, most dying from electrocution. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the flood was caused by the monsoon rain which began on 28-08-2017 Wednesday evening. As the incident took place the Army and Navy, along with other welfare organizations, started rescuing the lives of the people.
And even these are just the tip of the iceberg.
Enough about the endless list of problems caused by this horrendous mess, let’s talk about what we can do to at least help reduce this problem and how can we do it,
Plant native, drought-resistant trees and shrubs around your home
Replace your current home appliances (refrigerator, washing machine, dish washer) with high-efficiency models.
Buy food and other products with reusable or recyclable packaging instead of those in non-recyclable packaging
Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
Install solar heated systems to heat your water.
Recycle your home’s waste newsprint, cardboard, glass and metal.
Leave your car at home for short distances or try to use public transport as much as possible.
Insulate your home, clean your air conditioning filters and install energy efficient showerheads.
And the number one thing you can do to reduce Climate Change is…
Purchase a fuel-efficient car (rated at 32 mpg or more) to replace your most frequently used automobile.
I guess you might be wondering that these are all very basic things that are taught to primary school students, or you might be dismissing this article by thinking that these may not save us from the wrath of ozone(but of course you don't think that, if you were uninterested, you wouldn't read till the end), but even these small and basic things matter a lot if we all play our part, because in the end all of this is the cause of our polluted and selfish minds, we are so caught up in our own small worl without caring or even thinking that how much mankind is effecting their own home. I am afraid if we keep going at this pace for the coming even 20 years or maybe even less, we will be short of basic necessities such as clean drinking water or even air to breathe.
Till when are we to rely on the governemnt and scientists to save the planet? The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.