Pakistan: Bearing the Brunt of Global Warming
- Pakistan is experiencing extreme heatwaves with temperatures exceeding 45°C in May, highlighting the severe impact of climate change.
- The 2022 floods in Baluchistan and Punjab caused significant casualties and economic losses, demonstrating the vulnerability of Pakistan to climate-related disasters.
- Effective climate change mitigation requires both global cooperation and individual state efforts, emphasizing the importance of adopting renewable energy sources and sustainable practices.
The people of Pakistan are witnessing extreme heat-waves for last two weeks, even before the arrival of the peak summer. The temperature in different parts of the state has crossed 45°C, in the month of May, which is unprecedented in the history of Pakistan. Scientists and experts have already anticipated, years ago, global warming is going to be the real threat for international community, particularly for states like Pakistan, because of their geographical locations. Pakistan has also encountered a massive floods in Baluchistan and Punjab, in 2022 resulting into the casualties of hundreds of human lives and also, the national economy which was already in jeopardy, had lost billions of dollars, because of the washing out of agriculture farms, livestock and poultry; ironically these regions are deemed as low precipitated zones.
Climate change is a global crisis that requires the international community’s collective responsibility; the role of individual states, nevertheless, cannot be overlooked. Over-reliance on fossil fuels, rapid industrialization, and increasing deforestation for housing and development projects are major contributors to climate change.
Pakistan is particularly prone to global warming due to the presence of two major economies, China and India, within its premises: both countries are among the highest consumers of coal and petroleum to boost their industrial production, exacerbating the problem. The environmental impact of their actions significantly affects Pakistan, making it susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change. Addressing this issue demands coordinated efforts both globally and at the state level to control the underlying causes and reduce the impact on vulnerable regions like Pakistan.
The international community, especially developed nations, must align their developmental policies with the directions and protocols set by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to profoundly address the urgent threats of climate change. These policies should prioritize sustainability and climate resilience along with the roles of individual states are paramount. Governments must create conducive environment that encourages citizens to adopt renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydro power, rather imposing taxes on renewable energy appliances, as the current government of Pakistan is envisioning. By fostering a supportive framework and promoting sustainable practices, both the international community and individual states can work together to mitigate global warming, on earnest basis.
The author is the founder and editor of "The Spine Times."
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