Climate change is having a profound and devastating impact on the planet, affecting the lives of all species in countless ways....
COVER STORY
Climate change is having a profound and devastating impact on the planet, affecting the lives of all species in countless ways. Pakistan, despite contributing less than one percent to global greenhouse gas emissions, remains highly vulnerable due to its unique geographical position. Over the past few years, the country has faced numerous climate-related challenges, including severe floods, landslides, erratic rainfall patterns, cyclones, droughts, heatwaves, and the accelerated melting of glaciers.
The melting glaciers in the Himalayas have significantly increased the water flow in rivers, leading to catastrophic floods that devastate agricultural lands, displacing communities, and threatening food security. In addition to the immediate destruction, these floods also contribute to soil erosion and degrade the fertility of the land, further endangering livelihoods. The irregular rainfall patterns disrupt farming cycles, while prolonged droughts and heatwaves intensify water scarcity issues across the country.
Urgent action is needed at both the national and international levels to address these challenges, through sustainable policies, adaptation strategies, and efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The devastating impacts of the 2022 monsoon floods, which caused the most significant disaster displacement event in a decade, continued well into 2023. These floods affected one-third of Pakistan, primarily driven by the accelerated melting of glaciers and increased precipitation. The summer of 2023 saw additional heavy rains and floods, particularly in vulnerable districts, exacerbating the situation and leading to widespread outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, malaria, and dengue.
The World Meteorological Organization's "State of the Global Climate" report, released on March 19, 2023, underscores the severity of the situation. It highlights the alarming concentration of three key greenhouse gases—carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide—in the Earth's atmosphere, which reached unprecedented levels in 2022 and continued to rise in 2023. This surge is largely attributed to human activities since the onset of the Industrial Revolution, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial agriculture. These gases act like a blanket, trapping heat energy from the sun and intensifying global warming, which, in turn, fuels extreme weather events like the floods Pakistan has experienced.
The consequences of this rising greenhouse gas concentration are evident in the escalating frequency and intensity of natural disasters. The floods of 2022 and 2023 are a stark reminder of the urgent need for both national and global action. Reducing reliance on fossil fuels, investing in renewable energy, and enhancing climate resilience are essential steps for mitigating these catastrophic outcomes.
As the concentration of greenhouse gases continues to rise, the threat of more severe weather events looms large.
Global temperatures have risen sharply between 2014 and 2023, with 2023 breaking all previous records as the warmest year in 174 years of climate observation. This year saw unprecedented levels of mean sea rise, increased ocean heat content, and accelerated ice melt. The trend of extreme heat persisted into 2024, with July 22, 2024, recorded as the hottest day on record, alongside several other scorching days throughout the year. These alarming developments highlight the intensifying impact of climate change on our planet's ecosystems and weather patterns.
In Pakistan, rapid urbanization and poorly planned housing developments have significantly worsened the effects of climate change. Urban areas, with limited green spaces and an abundance of concrete structures, trap and retain heat, contributing to the rise in local temperatures. The lack of vegetation further exacerbates the urban heat island effect, making cities hotter and less resilient to climate-related impacts.
One of the most visible and hazardous consequences of this phenomenon is smog, which worsens during the winter months. In 2023, smog overwhelmed several countries, with Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India ranking as the world’s top three most smog-affected nations. In Pakistan, the concentration of PM2.5—tiny airborne particles notorious for their harmful effects on lung health and children's respiratory development—reached alarming levels of 73.3 micrograms per cubic meter. This level of pollution poses severe health risks to millions of people.
In 2022, Pakistan was ranked the fourth most polluted country globally, underscoring the severity of its air quality crisis. Addressing pollution requires coordinated efforts both within Pakistan and internationally, as its detrimental effects are felt across the planet. It is crucial for the government to implement sustainable urban planning and stricter environmental regulations to mitigate these issues and foster a healthier environment for future generations.
Bangladesh, previously ranked as the 5th most polluted country in 2022, experienced a worrying rise in smog levels in 2023, with PM2.5 concentrations reaching 79.9 micrograms per cubic meter. This spike in pollution has been linked to nearly 20 percent of premature deaths in the country, underscoring the public health crisis posed by poor air quality.
India's air quality has also deteriorated over time, ranking 8th globally in 2022. The situation in New Delhi is particularly dire, where particulate matter levels reached an alarming 92.7 micrograms per cubic meter, highlighting the severity of India's air pollution problem. These high pollution levels pose serious health risks and demand urgent intervention to mitigate the environmental and health impacts across both countries.
Smog has a profound impact on the health and daily lives of individuals in affected countries. It results from high concentrations of air pollutants, exacerbated by vehicle emissions, industrial discharges, deforestation, agricultural burning, and inadequate rainfall, which limits the natural cleansing of the air. Low wind speeds further contribute to the problem by trapping pollutants, leading to persistent smog. In recent years, smog-affected countries have had to close educational institutions, reduce working days, and encourage remote work to mitigate the harmful effects of poor air quality on daily life.
The widespread use of plastic also aggravates the climate crisis. The production of plastic relies heavily on fossil fuels, which emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Shockingly, only 16 percent of plastic is recycled, with the remainder ending up in oceans, landfills, or being incinerated, contributing further to environmental degradation. As plastic breaks down, it releases harmful gases such as methane and ethylene, exacerbating global warming and adding to the complex challenge of pollution and climate change.
To mitigate the rising global temperatures, heatwaves, floods in summers, and smog in winters, immediate action is needed, particularly in planting trees. Trees play a vital role in reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by absorbing carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen, and cleaning the air, which in turn encourages rainfall. Additionally, tree roots prevent soil erosion, reducing the risk of landslides and floods. Trees also preserve biodiversity by providing food and shelter for various species. Planting native species is especially effective, as they are well-adapted to the local environment and require less fertilizer, water, and maintenance.
To lessen the impact of global warming in urban areas, green spaces must be preserved. Initiatives such as rooftop gardens should be promoted, along with a shift towards renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydro power. These changes can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which are a major contributor to global warming. The 2023 United Nations Climate Summit (COP28), held in Dubai, ended with an agreement that signals the “beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era, marking a critical step toward a more sustainable future.
Urban planners should integrate green infrastructure into city designs to cool urban heat islands and reduce air pollution. By promoting tree-planting, sustainable energy practices, and ecosystem preservation, we can build a future that curbs climate change and its disastrous effects.
Energy production methods that rely on fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas are the largest contributors to global warming. Fossil fuels are responsible for nearly 90 percent of carbon dioxide emissions and 75 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions, making them a major driver of climate change. Transitioning to cleaner, renewable energy sources is crucial to reducing these emissions and mitigating the effects of global warming.
Youth, as active participants in society, must be well informed about the pressing challenges of climate change and take proactive steps to safeguard their environment. Instilling environmental responsibility at an early age is key. A meaningful initiative is to encourage children to plant trees by gifting them a sapling on special occasions like birthdays, symbolizing the growth of both the child and the plant. As the plant matures, it will provide oxygen, shade, and cleaner air, fostering a sense of responsibility in the child. Caring for a plant can instill a lifelong appreciation for nature and environmental stewardship. Additionally, keeping indoor plants can contribute to a healthier living space by improving air quality and creating a more refreshing atmosphere, even in urban settings.
Youth can also play a pivotal role in environmental clean-up efforts. They can encourage responsible tourism by advocating for proper disposal of waste in bins and discouraging harmful practices such as cooking in natural picnic spots, which can lead to pollution and fire hazards. By spreading awareness about the importance of preserving these spaces, young people can ensure that natural environments remain pristine for future generations.
Another important step is promoting paper recycling to reduce the need for cutting down trees for paper production. In addition to this, promoting the use of digital documents can help significantly reduce paper waste.
Transportation is another area where youth can lead change. They can advocate for the use of public transportation, cycling, and carpooling as sustainable alternatives to reduce vehicle emissions, which are a major contributor to air pollution and global warming. By embracing and promoting these alternatives, young people can help lower carbon footprints and decrease the demand for fossil fuels.
Overall, the youth's active participation in these efforts is crucial. Their engagement in tree planting, recycling, promoting cleaner transportation, and maintaining environmental cleanliness will contribute to a healthier planet. A clean environment ensures not only better health for all but also a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come. The combined efforts of young people and the broader community will be instrumental in combating climate change and protecting the Earth’s ecosystems.
