Understanding the Climate Change in Pakistan

Did you know that Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries when it comes to Climate Change? The country is located in the South Asia region and is facing a number of challenges due to global warming, such as changes in precipitation patterns, rising temperatures, and melting glaciers.

As of June 22, 2023, Pakistan is among those countries where children are at higher risk regarding climate change, with a climate risk index score of 7.1. These risks result in several environmental hazards, especially for the young generation.

A combination of a lack of awareness and negligence on our part has resulted in many disasters, both natural and man-made. In this article, we will explore the various aspects of climate change in Pakistan, from its causes to its effects. We will also discuss ways to work together to mitigate the impact of climate change.

There is a strong need to educate masses to understand climate change and act on rising challenges. The good news is according to google among popular searches in Pakistan Climate change was at no.5 after first four go to cricket.

What is Climate Change?

In simple terms, climate change refers to a broad array of environmental degradation predicted to result from increasing levels of atmospheric CO2, including global warming, alterations in precipitation, sea level changes, and more extreme weather events.

Both natural and human factors cause climate change. Natural causes include changes in the sun’s intensity, volcanic eruptions, and variations in the Earth’s orbit. On the other hand, human activities that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, are the main drivers of climate change.

The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases retained by Earth’s gravity that surrounds the planet and forms its atmosphere. That protects life by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface through heat retention (greenhouse effect).

Atmosphere air contains 78.08% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.04% carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases. Although carbon dioxide seems negligible but minor change in its ratio has huge effects.

Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change due to geographical location, and lack of awareness and preparedness.

The Impact of Climate Change on Pakistan

Pakistan is already feeling the effects of climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted that the average global temperature will rise by 1.5°C by 2030. This may not seem like much, but even a slight temperature change can significantly impact our weather patterns.

Due to climate change, Pakistan will likely experience more frequent and intense floods, droughts, and heat waves. A rise in temperatures will also lead to melting glaciers, which will cause rivers such as the Indus to swell and flood. Now one can imagine this will have a devastating effect on the lives of our people and our economy.

Moreover, Pakistan is home to some of the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems, such as coastal mangroves and wetlands, that are highly susceptible to climate change. The loss of these habitats will result in drastic changes in the food web, drastically reducing fish stocks in the Indus River.

Furthermore, due to industrialization and rapid urbanization, air pollution is a growing issue in Pakistan. This has increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and has caused extreme weather events such as dust storms, smog, and heat waves. These events can have devastating effects on our health and economy, as well as cause long-term damage to our environment. Therefore, Pakistan needs to take action to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. Extreme weather events can devastate our economy, agriculture, and infrastructure. They can also lead to the displacement of communities and a rise in cases of waterborne diseases.

In recent years, Pakistan has taken steps to mitigate the effects of climate change. We are investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency and focusing more on sustainable agriculture. By reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency, we can help reduce the effects of climate change on our country.

A Brief Look At a Few Factors Causing Climate

As we have mentioned, climate change is caused by natural and human factors. In Pakistan, the main human activities contributing to climate change are the greenhouse effect, rising temperature, monsoon intensity, and more.

The Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that keeps the Earth’s atmosphere warm. However, human activity has enhanced the greenhouse effect, causing an increase in global temperatures.

This is because we are emitting more and more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and methane. This is due to both burning fossil fuels and changes in land use, such as deforestation.

In Pakistani, the energy sector has been growing in recent years, leading to an increase in the emission of greenhouse gases. Deforestation is also a significant contributor to climate change due to its effect on air and water quality. Authorities should address this to reduce the rate of climate change.

Rising Temperatures

One of the most visible effects of climate change is rising temperatures. In Pakistan, the average temperature has increased by 0.6°C for decades. This may not seem like much, but it has greatly impacted our weather patterns.

For instance, the heatwave that hit Karachi in 2015 directly resulted from rising temperatures. This heatwave killed over 1,300 people and left many more hospitalized. Dehydration and heat exhaustion were the primary causes of death directly resulting from increased temperatures.

Besides, changing weather patterns can also disrupt our agricultural cycle, leading to crop failures and food shortages. As the Earth’s temperature rises, we will likely see more extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and heat waves. In Pakistan, these weather events have become more frequent in recent years.

Flash Floods

Flash floods are another major problem Pakistan faces due to climate change. These floods occur when heavy rains fall quickly, causing rivers and streams to overflow. Floods can cause damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. They can also lead to the displacement of communities and a rise in cases of waterborne diseases.

In 2010, Pakistan experienced one of the worst floods in its history. This flood affected an estimated 20 million people and caused damage worth $9.7 billion. The country suffers from significant economic losses yearly due to recurrent flooding events during the monsoon season.

Recently in 2022, due to a combination of melting glaciers, unplanned land use, and rising sea levels, several areas of Pakistan, mainly Sindh, Punjab, and Baluchistan, have suffered from yet another devastating flood. The total number of people affected by this flood is estimated to be around 7.9 million.

Thus, the Pakistani government must mitigate the risks associated with floods. Countermeasures like building dams, planting trees and grasses in vulnerable areas, and instituting early warning systems can help reduce the damage caused by floods.

Monsoon Intensity

Monsoons are a type of seasonal rainstorm that occurs in Pakistan from July to September. These rains are vital for our agriculture, as they provide the water needed for crops to grow. However, climate change is causing the monsoons to become more intense. This means that we are receiving heavier rains over shorter periods. While this may seem beneficial initially, it can lead to severe problems.

The main concern is flooding. The sudden surge in water can quickly overwhelm existing infrastructure, leading to large-scale flooding and destruction. This can damage crops and property and even lead to injury or death. In addition, the heavy rains can wash away topsoil, causing long-term ecological damage.

We must take steps to better manage our monsoon intensity to prevent this. This can include improving flood management and drainage systems, increasing green spaces, creating retention ponds, and other measures. We should also continue to use appropriate agricultural methods to reduce the impact of sudden heavy rains.

Public Awareness — Our Responsibilities

Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. We all have a role to play in tackling this issue. In Pakistan, we can start by raising public awareness about climate change and its effects. We can also promote sustainable development practices that will help us reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases.

By doing so, we can ensure that future generations have access to cleaner air, water, and land — the resources they need to survive and thrive. Together, we can work towards a sustainable future for Pakistan and the world.

How To Do This?

Our country is already feeling the effects of climate change, and we cannot afford to ignore this issue any longer. Our responsibilities include the following:

● Raising public awareness: We can encourage people to become more aware of climate change and its environmental impact. We can do this through posters, seminars, workshops, and other forms of media.

● Reduce Carbon footprint: We can reduce our emissions by switching to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. These measures will help us reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases and protect the environment.

● Population Control: The country’s large population, high poverty rates, and limited resources make it particularly vulnerable to the impacts of global warming, and the government will need to continue to take a proactive approach to mitigate these risks.

● Environmental Enforcement: Introduce and enforce legislation to protect the environment. Don’t allow anyone to change natural flow of water whether it is a seasonal stream or a river system. We have seen it all in recent floods in Sind province and paid the price.

We are responsible to ourselves and future generations to take action on climate change. By taking responsibility for our actions and promoting sustainable development practices, we can help tackle climate change in Pakistan. Together, we can work towards a better future for our country and the world!