AS the global community grapples with the alarming rise in temperatures, it is imperative to shed light on Pakistan’s perspective and the urgent steps that need to be taken to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. Despite contributing less than 1% of global emissions, Pakistan faces a staggering 15 times higher risk of dying from climate-related impacts. It is disproportionately affected by the escalating temperatures, necessitating immediate action from both local and international stakeholders.
Since June 2023, each passing month has shattered temperature records, culminating in 2023 being declared the hottest year on record. This unprecedented warming trend, predominantly attributed to human activities, presents a dire situation that demands swift and decisive measures. Researchers have meticulously analyzed temperature data spanning over 2,000 years, focusing on the Northern Hemisphere above 30° north for its reliability. The findings reveal a stark reality: the summer of 2023 was 2.2°C warmer than the average over the past two millennia. Even when considering uncertainties in proxy records, the magnitude of temperature increase in 2023 surpasses anything witnessed in recorded history.
Pakistan finds itself at the forefront of this climate crisis, grappling with its devastating consequences ranging from extreme weather events to agricultural disruptions and water scarcity. The recent floods in 2022 in Pakistan have had a profound impact on lives and infrastructure. These disasters have caused over 1,700 deaths and displaced more than 8 million people. The damage to infrastructure, assets, crops, and livestock has been massive, with more than $30 billion in damages and economic losses. The combined risks of extreme climate-related events, environmental degradation, and air pollution are projected to reduce Pakistan’s GDP by at least 18 to 20% by 2050. Moreover, in Sindh, the devastating effects of climate change are not a distant threat but a present catastrophe.
Approximately 18,000 schools have sustained full or partial damage, disrupting the education of countless children, with girls being disproportionately affected. This educational crisis is compounded by the staggering figure of 26.2 million children across Pakistan who are already out of school, many due to the direct and indirect consequences of climate change. The situation is dire. As we witness the mercury rise, so too does the number of heat-related illnesses, pushing our healthcare system to the brink. Hospitals are inundated with patients suffering from heatstroke and other heat-induced conditions, and tragically, the most vulnerable among us, including children and the elderly, are succumbing to these preventable conditions.
Pakistan, with its limited resources, faces significant challenges in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change. While the country strives to implement environmentally friendly policies and practices, the lack of adequate support and resources hinders its progress. It is unjust for Pakistan to bear the burden of a crisis exacerbated by nations with far greater emissions and resources. It is imperative for the international community to step up and fulfill its commitments to combating climate change. Developed countries, in particular, must honour their pledges of financial assistance and technology transfer to vulnerable nations like Pakistan.
—The writer is a contributing columnist.
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