Karachi thrives due to its enchanting evenings and its access to the Arabian Sea. The vibrancy on the streets during the evening, when Karachiites come out of their homes and bring life to the roads, is what makes Karachi the City of Lights. Such evenings and recreational activities may be hard to find in other cities of the country! The charm of Karachi's evenings is gradually fading away as the circumstances are changing. On one hand, Karachiites are grappling with the menace of crime and robberies; while on the other hand, the wellbeing of Karachi and its citizens is being disrupted by the heat wave, which seems to be intensifying each year.
Karachi is facing all these challenges and there is no one to solve its problems. Even in extreme heat, prolonged power outages have distressed the citizens of Karachi and almost everyone here is a victim of some form of depression. The problems here are numerous, but the focus is on the issue of climate change because it’s getting alarmingly dangerous.
Global warming poses a threat to the well-being of the Pakistani population. The country is already burdened with rapid changes in its weather patterns (hot summers and cold winters), and future projections indicate an increase in natural disasters as a result. Pakistan is currently facing dry spells, floods, landslides, and cyclonic rains due to the recurring waves of increasing temperatures. It is also indicating an escalation in the intensity of these events in the future.
With a noticeable rise in temperatures nationwide, snow-capped mountains in the northern regions are melting rapidly and this phenomenon is leading to a clear change in the flow the rivers. Regular rainfall patterns are undergoing changes, such as summer showers moving to August and winter rainfall postponing until March.
Now the question is: how are these climatic changes affecting our lives? Severe weather is negatively impacting our economy and health. Pakistan relies heavily on agriculture for its economy yet, Pakistan is still using archaic farming methods. Landowners are resistant to modernize, opting for traditional techniques. In addition, our seasonal crops are being lost due to climate change.
Climate change has accelerated the melting of glaciers globally, leading to an increased speed of glacier melt. This, in turn, has led to more Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and incidents of flash floods downstream. It's crucial to note that the rapid melting of glaciers, increased temperatures, changing seasons and erratic rainfall are all altering the flow of the Pakistan’s rivers. This is affecting agriculture-related activities, food production, and the overall economy.
Effects on People's Health:
The rise in temperatures leads to fatigue, nutritional deficiencies due to drought, and an increase in diseases caused by viruses such as dengue fever, malaria, Congo virus, typhoid, and waterborne illnesses. These factors impact people's ability to work and earn a living.
How is Global Warming Affecting Pakistan?
Pakistan is experiencing widespread impacts of climate change, including a decrease in agricultural production, coastal erosion, and increased displacement of communities living in low-lying areas due to rising sea levels.
In recent years, Jacobabad in the Sindh province of Pakistan has witnessed a significant increase in temperatures, surpassing 52 degrees Celsius. This level of heat is challenging for human tolerance. Unfortunately, no measures have been taken to cope with these conditions, and even for developed countries, dealing with such extreme temperatures is challenging. Experts warn that if these temperatures persist for more than a few hours, it could lead to organ damage or death. Areas like Jacobabad, Mohenjo-Daro, Larkana, and Turbat have already crossed this threshold.
Sindh, particularly the Jacobabad region, is considered particularly dangerous for climatic changes, and there is a possibility that temperatures in this area may rise further in the near future.
Compared to the previous year, many parts of the country have received below-average rainfall, causing severe difficulties in drought-affected regions of Sindh and Balochistan.
Water Scarcity Crisis for Dry Seasons:
The scarcity of water is becoming a crisis during dry seasons. The accelerated melting of snow at higher altitudes due to unusually high temperatures in northern regions is increasing the pressure on river water levels, posing a risk of reduced water availability for agriculture.
According to a report from the Climate Action Network-South Asia (CANSA), it is expected that the melting glaciers are causing a rise in water levels in rivers, leading to an increase in the number of migrants. The effects of this phenomenon will leave people deprived of their livelihoods, forcing them into a life of migration, exacerbating the already dangerous levels of poverty in the country. Insufficient rainfall, environmental system damage, and drought in Pakistan are estimated to render over 600,000 people homeless by 2030. Without intervention, this number is expected to reach 1.2 million.
Every region of Pakistan is facing the impacts of climate change in its unique way. In Balochistan, the Clean Green Pakistan program aims to mitigate the adverse effects of drought by implementing large-scale tree planting initiatives and constructing dams—a commendable initiative. Similar projects are needed in Sindh as well.
The majority of Balochistan's residents rely on agriculture and fishing, and the severe scarcity of water in dry seasons is forcing farmers, fishermen, and others dependent on water to migrate to urban areas. This migration is happening on a large scale due to water scarcity, affecting agriculture and fisheries.
Human activities such as burning fuels, excessive industrial emissions, and deforestation have significantly increased concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. This has contributed significantly to environmental pollution. Lahore, due to its intense pollution, is ranked among the most polluted cities globally. Karachi, despite being a coastal city, also faces air pollution. The sea breeze contributes to decreasing the level of pollution in Karachi by spreading it to a vast space.
Global Warming's Impact on the World's Water and Air:
Global warming poses the most significant threat to our planet in this century. Environmental experts assert that the Earth's temperature has increased by 1.19 degrees Celsius over the past 100 years due to the rise in greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the outer atmosphere. Consequently, the Earth is experiencing destructive effects of changing weather patterns, such as floods, droughts, natural disasters, heat waves, rising sea levels, and hurricanes.
Pakistan ranks 16th out of 190 countries in the Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI), having crossed 13 positions in a year. The country is among the top 10 nations most affected by climate change between 1990 and 2010. The annual cost of climate change to the economy is estimated at around $14 billion, approximately 5% of the GDP. According to the Asian Development Bank, more than a million people in Pakistan are already homeless due to climate-related impacts.
Environmental Pollution in Pakistan:
Environmental pollution is undoubtedly a challenge in Pakistan, but there is always a solution to every problem. Let's explore what can be done:
Public awareness campaigns should educate people about the damages caused by environmental pollution and what steps can be taken to address it. Planting trees should be encouraged, and penalties should be imposed for cutting them down.
Developed countries discourage solo travel in private cars to promote the use of public transport. Expensive parking and well-organized public transport systems have been implemented. Pedestrian-friendly walkways have been constructed. It is the government's responsibility to increase public transportation in cities to reduce air pollution from traffic and to build better sidewalks for pedestrians. Unfortunately, there is hardly any space left for walking, and people often park cars on sidewalks. Zebra crossings are rare, and crossing roads can be as challenging as a battle.
Environmental Initiatives for a Sustainable Future:
1. Implement projects for the provision of clean drinking water. Adopt better agricultural practices by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on farmlands.
2. Promote collaborative efforts between the government, public, and industry, as enhancing harmony among these entities is crucial for addressing environmental issues.
Thoughts on the Current and Future Situation:
We must ponder on what we have gained from long marches and political rallies. Have any political leaders ever addressed these alarming situations? Not at all. No political party seems to be advising a plan to tackle these issues. People need to raise awareness and demand action from their political parties regarding their plans for Pakistan's betterment. Votes should be cast based on these action plans.
What the Public Can Do:
1. Plant more trees to contribute to environmental conservation.
2. Avoid wasting resources and utilize land wisely.
3. Engage in activism related to environmental pollution.
4. Every individual should contribute to the country's strength and well-being.
Empower Pakistan – Green and Prosperous Pakistan!!!