Environmental Security: A Pressing Concern for Pakistan’s Future
- Climate Threats to National Security – Pakistan faces severe environmental challenges like smog, deforestation, and water scarcity, which directly impact human security, economy, and stability.
- Economic and Social Consequences – Natural disasters and environmental degradation cause displacement, strain resources, and increase crime, worsening socio-economic instability.
- Need for Urgent Action – Pakistan must prioritize environmental security through policy reforms, regional cooperation, and public awareness to mitigate climate risks effectively.
Environment security is of immense importance in today’s globalized world, as the threat of global warming lurks over the entire human race. States now have to ensure survival not only from other states or non-state actors but from natural disasters that strike without warning and inflict irreparable damages. Keeping in mind the fact that Pakistan has a strategic location combined with an abundant wealth of natural resources and manpower, all of which are crucial in this regard, below is a brief breakdown of the components of Pakistan’s environmental security that directly impact its national security for present and future decades to come.
Global warming is a threat transcending boundaries, and Pakistan is among the top ten affected countries. Despite its low contribution, Pakistan has to bear the brunt of the ecological footprint cast by wealthier developed nations. This has opened up multifaceted issues that we witness in the form of natural disasters, as discussed below. These environmental security threats pose significant risks to human security and development.
The recent onslaught of smog is a major health hazard, including in the capital city itself. In 2023, Pakistan’s AQI was recorded to be 14 times higher than that prescribed safely by WHO guidelines. The major contributors of smog are industries, vehicles, or the leftover crops/garbage heaps set on fire. Daily life is disrupted in vulnerable cities as well as rural areas. With the rise in respiratory diseases, the already weak health infrastructure gets burdened and is unable to respond effectively.
Deforestation is another upshot of environmental security. It proves to be the stepping stone for the disruption of the ecosystem. Pakistan has about 4.8% green belt covered by forests. The frequent cutdown of trees for livelihood, household, and construction purposes, along with the loss due to wildfires, is not only diminishing the natural beauty of the terrain, but consequently the temperatures are becoming outrageously high. Similarly, the wildlife native to such areas also comes under the risk of extinction as they are forced to search elsewhere for their survival. Therefore, the lost foliage needs to be restored before it gets too late.
Moreover, land productivity (annual output) is affected adversely by environmental threats. Crops are swept away every year by massive floods, and the cycle is repeated every year while barely any preventive measures are taken. Water is a vital source of life, and access to clean, drinkable water for all has become an unfulfilled dream while our neighboring countries are investing heavily in large-scale water projects to ensure undisrupted supply for the decades to come. Likewise, the power and gas sector has become unable to sustain the needs of a fast-growing population. The rapid utilization of natural sources that are already scarce without any future planning will eventually lead to disastrous depletion, thereby impacting Pakistan’s overall national security.
The onset of natural disasters leads to massive loss of life and infrastructure, followed by large-scale displacement of the affected until their respective areas are restored, which is a time-consuming process requiring millions of dollars. Meanwhile, the dislocated chunk of the population moves to a nearby city or locality, adding to the burden of strained, cooped-up cities, which is neither favorable nor desirable. They can engage in criminal activities because they are unable to find a source of income in a new place. This undermines the process of security for individuals from deprivation.
The inability to address their grievances acts as a catalyst for internal strife. Thus, what started as a mere spark can potentially lead to a wildfire with spillover effects in the economic and societal spheres of life. Man’s unhindered pursuit of development has led this planet toward the juncture of collapse. The entire nature has been thrown out of balance. This cause-effect scenario is clearly evident from the fact that during the peak of COVID-19 and its subsequent lockdown, the emission of greenhouse gases reduced significantly and the air quality drastically improved worldwide, accompanied by gradual healing of the damaged ozone layer.
To sum up, it can be implied that a plethora of environmental security issues under the umbrella of global warming are posing a grave concern for Pakistan. Regrettably, the past and present governments seem to be embroiled in traditional political gimmicks at the expense of our future survival. Just like political or military threats, any policy lapse or delay in action cannot be afforded. It has become essential to include environmental security on the top agenda for Pakistan’s national security. The government must lead along with the institutions to bring forth environment-friendly policies, whereas the public domain can be mobilized for awareness campaigns. A single state’s efforts or resources cannot suffice in this regard, but a collective approach through international/regional organizations is needed. The sense of shared responsibility emerges as the whole region becomes vulnerable to environmental degradation.
The author is a freelance writer, having keen interest in politics and international affairs.
