Fossil fuel addiction

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), fossil fuel-based power plants are the largest source of global carbon dioxide emissions. As the world moves forward, Pakistan is moving in the opposite direction. An inconvenient truth is that our dependence on coal and natural gas only compounds Pakistan’s environmental challenges. We must stop justifying cheap fossil fuel energy when the cost is extensive destruction – damage that will only go sky-high with time. Alarmingly, even with repeated global concerns over climate change, Pakistan continues to build new coal-powered plants and expand its dependence on fossil fuels.

The government must set an ambitious, clear agenda to transition away from fossil fuel-based energy production towards sustainable, renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, and hydropower. The potential for renewable energy in Pakistan is huge, particularly in solar and wind power, which could mitigate both climate change and provide energy security to rural and underdeveloped regions. Furthermore, investments in energy efficiency and cleaner technologies should be a top concern, alongside incentives for businesses and communities to adopt sustainable practices.

Muhammad Shahjahan Memon

Islamabad