Dr sahar Malik
Climate change affects the internal and external stability of a nation and impinges on national security. Intensification of natural disasters, increasing resource scarcity and sea level rise as three main processes through which climate change could cause social instability and conflict. It also highlighted the risks such as destruction of infrastructure, increased health risk and loss of livelihood. People increasingly recognize that climate change needs to be included in defense and security planning. More than 50 percent of countries now incorporate specific mention of climate change in their defense policies. Perhaps the most direct and obvious significance of climate change for the military is its impact on military infrastructure.
Climate change, a global common with regional and national impact has emerged as a significant challenge contributing to diverse aspects of national security. Pakistan is already facing multiple security and development challenges and an addition of climate change is likely to make the matrix even more complex. Refugees and internally displaced persons because of climate change is a great challenge to address the issues regarding national security.
The impact of climate change on national security has been proved time and again, and over the years, it has been observed that recurring flooding, drought, temperature extremes, frequent and/or more severe extreme weather events, sea level rise and temperature changes, exacerbate the threats to food, water and energy security which impacts the society at both micro and macro levels. These societal impacts interact to affect national security and it is, therefore, essential that these impacts are quantified for national security planning. It is evident that the risk to developing countries such as Pakistan, which have a high population density, poor warning systems, uncoordinated responses and limited resources for adaptation, will be much higher.
Climate change is impacting every region of the globe, but in Africa and Asia, the vulnerability is much higher. During last five years, Pakistan witnessed frequent and devastating floods and continuous droughts, mainly in Sindh and Baluchistan. It is time to adopt early prevention strategies to deal with this emerging security challenge. Political, military actions and mobilization of financial resources would play central role to deal with these challenges. More research on security dimensions of climate change will play a vital role to reshape and modify Pakistan’s adaptation plan according to emerging human security needs and demands.
Climate change and global warming are on the verge of creating crises over water and water resources. Apart from being a basic domestic commodity for human consumption, water is also important in agriculture and energy production. Climate change effects such as a rise in sea levels, flooding, cyclones, and melting of glaciers continue to displace people from their native areas of habitation.
Apart from the impact on society, an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events directly impacts military assets and undermines military readiness. Coupled with other possible impacts such as large-scale migration across borders, as seen recently in Europe, it has the potential to exacerbate conflicts around the world and is a threat to national security and stability. One of the key messages of individuals who emphasize the security-defense nexus is that the consequences of climate change are altering geostrategic realities with significant security implications and with necessary consequences for military operations and planning.
Pakistan is currently undergoing a series of threats from terrorism, financial constraints, energy deficits, and climate change. Its security as a nation remains a key concern to each and every Pakistani as they show concern over government decisions, which the consider not good economically and socially. In the struggle for peace and tranquility, Pakistan also suffers several local unrests like those in Baluchistan and target killing in cities like Karachi. Maintaining the fight against these multifaceted elements is costly. It keeps the country in an unstable situation with serious losses of human and fiscal resources. Despite all those challenges, climate change is further eating up the country without mercy. With its diverse geography containing a host of mountain ranges, glaciers, deserts, coastal lines, and plain areas, Pakistani suffers from all kinds of effects of climate change.
Qurat ul Ain Iqbal Malik is co-author