Climate reality check

The scorching heatwave gripping Pakistan right now is not just another summer. It is a chilling reality check. The statistics paint a grim picture. This heatwave has shattered all previous temperature records, with Jacobabad reportedly touching a staggering 51C. This is simply unliveable. People are falling ill, crops are withering and the power grid buckles under the strain. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it is a humanitarian crisis unfolding before our eyes. The irony is Pakistan contributes less than 1 per cent of global emissions, yet we are on the frontlines of the climate catastrophe. It is a stark injustice and a price we are paying for the actions of others.

We need concrete action and fast. Imagine the lives that could be saved, the crops secured and the power grids stabilized if Pakistan had a robust renewable energy infrastructure. The economic benefits would be immense too – clean energy creates jobs and fosters technological advancements. The long-term costs of inaction far outweigh the short-term challenges of transition. The world, especially developed nations, needs to acknowledge the historical responsibility of fossil fuel dependence and invest in green alternatives.

Majid Burfat

Karachi