The severe effects of climate change can be increasingly felt around the world today. The rise in sea levels, the melting of glaciers, global warming, and the rise in the number of extreme weather events are consequently affecting human health, food production, and water availability – and more.
Pakistan’s vulnerabilities to the effects of climate change are well-known. With a population of nearly 240 million, Pakistan contributes less than one per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but the country is still ranked as the fifth most vulnerable state to the climate crisis by the Global Climate Risk Index.
Today there is an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as floods, torrential rainstorms, cyclones, droughts, and exceptionally high temperatures. Pakistan has seen yearly floods of varying sizes since 2010, which have caused considerable infrastructural damages and claimed a significant number of lives. The megafloods of 2022 displaced over 33 million people in Pakistan, inflicted direct losses of more than $14.9 billion and skewed the GDP of the country up to $15.2 billion.
To mitigate the climate risks associated with climate change, Pakistan must make a gradual shift towards implementing low-carbon pathways and climate-resilient approaches by adapting emerging technologies (ETs). Pakistan is already a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is assisting developing nations to identify and evaluate their needs for climate-sensitive technologies. Likewise, the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) oversees a project under the Programme for Asia Resilience to Climate Change: the Climate Innovation Challenge (CIC) for South Asia.
ETs offer innovative solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change across multiple sectors. Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, and machine learning (ML) offer creative applications to counter climate-related threats, particularly by revolutionizing early warning systems. In this regard, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MOCC) is aiming to install 200 automatic weather stations, five wind profilers, and automate 50 existing observatories to strengthen the country’s technical potential for climate monitoring and early warning.
AI can help develop more sophisticated climate model forecasting tools, enabling them to better anticipate and prepare for future climate scenarios. Big Data and AI are revolutionizing climate modelling and threat evaluation.
In addition, advanced 3D printing lowers carbon emissions and minimizes waste in production. Moreover, climate statistics analytics can assist businesses in identifying and quantifying the risks and opportunities related to climate change, such as modifications in temperature and precipitation patterns, sea-level rise, and intense weather events.
Similarly, Carbon Capture Technology (CCS) technologies are rising as a promising way to reduce carbon emissions from industrial processes and power generation. These technologies capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and store them underground, preventing them from being released into the atmosphere. There are several emerging CCS technologies, including direct air capture (DAC), which captures CO2 directly from the air, and post-combustion capture which grabs CO2 from the exhaust of power plants.
The National Aerospace Science & Technology Park (NASTP) in Pakistan is also spearheading a transformative wave in the nation’s technological landscape. With dedicated research and development centers and innovation hubs focusing on emerging technologies (ETs), NASTP is poised to revolutionize various sectors. This includes enhancing disaster management capabilities through collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs).
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has underscored the NDMA’s crucial role as a bulwark against climate change, highlighting NASTP’s potential to empower these agencies with advanced AI and machine learning training. Such initiatives promise more accurate assessments, early warnings, and robust preparedness strategies nationwide.”
In conclusion, Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change is a prime concern that calls for a multi-faceted approach. Despite contributing less than one per cent of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan still faces severe consequences of climate change. Extreme weather events have resulted in socio-economic losses, disrupted lives, and strained resources.
Advanced technologies such as AI, big data, and ML can assist in addressing these challenges and can extensively enhance the capability of the country to mitigate risks and adapt to climate change.
The writer is a researcher at the
Center for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS), Lahore. She can be reached at: infocasslhr.com