t has been observed that extreme temperatures leave many families living in poverty with less food, less clean water, lower incomes and worsening health. The climate crisis magnifies inequality, poverty and the displacement crisis and may increase the likelihood of conflict.

Around 90 per cent of diseases resulting from the climate crisis are likely to affect children under the age of five. The climate crisis is forcing families to migrate and by 2050, there could be 143 million more migrants due to climate calamities

The International Day of Families, celebrated on May 15, is a global observance that focuses on the importance of families. The United Nations established this day to highlight the critical role families play in our society and to raise awareness about the economic, social and demographic issues they face.

The 2024 theme of the Day is Families and Climate Change. It will focus on families and climate change, aiming to raise awareness of how climate change impacts families and the role families can play in climate action.

Climate change negatively impacts the health and well-being of families through increased pollution. Extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, such as storms, droughts and floods, often lead to forced displacement and loss of livelihoods for families and individuals. Such events impact agricultural productivity and access to water, intensifying hunger and vulnerability. They cause economic disruption in industries sensitive to climate impacts such as agriculture and fisheries.

An estimated two per cent of the global population is homeless and an additional 20 per cent is living in inadequate housing. Climate change has increased levels of uncertainty about our future. Empowering families through education, changing consumption habits and advocacy is critical for meaningful and effective climate action. Families pass values across generations, so inspiring sustainable habits and climate awareness in families from an early age is important.

Integrating circular economy principles into early childhood education can help build a sustainable economic model based on minimising waste and regenerating natural resources. As consumers and advocates, families can drive the transition to a circular economy.

The effects of climate change are vast and varied. We’re witnessing more hot days, heat waves, intense droughts, water scarcity, severe fires, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms and declining biodiversity. These changes disrupt the balance of nature, affecting our health, food production, housing, safety and work. For many, particularly those in vulnerable regions, the situation has escalated to the point of relocation, with the rise of “climate refugees” becoming an increasingly stark reality.

Empowering families through education, changing consumption habits and advocacy are critical for meaningful and effective climate action.

A majority of Pakistani families are patrilineal. In this way, the senior male is the head of the household, followed by the senior female, and finally, the children. The majority of Pakistanis live in multigenerational households whereby three, four or sometimes five generations reside together (including grandparents, uncles, siblings and cousins). Due to the poor socioeconomic conditions of most of Pakistan’s population, family ties are essential for people to survive economically.

Despite its considerable distance from the Arctic region, Pakistan’s environmental landscape bears a significant imprint from the consequences of Arctic warming. With a score of 87.83 out of 100 on the Climate Risk Index, the nation finds itself precariously positioned in the face of enduring climate threats. Pakistan faces the monumental task of navigating through these environmental dangers while pursuing its Sustainable Development Goals.

Climate change presents the single biggest threat to development. Its widespread, unprecedented effects disproportionately burden the poorest and the most vulnerable. Goal 13 of SDGs “urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” calls for not only combating climate change and its impacts, but also to build resilience in responding to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

Pakistan stands at a crossroads, facing the dual challenges of Arctic-intensified climate change. By recognising and addressing these workings, Pakistan can plan a new course towards a future that synergises economic growth with sustainable and resilient development in the face of ever-evolving climate challenges.

Pakistan is coping with the profound impacts of climate change, such as shifting weather patterns and catastrophic floods. Unfortunately, these impacts are projected to worsen, with forecasts suggesting that climate-related events, environmental degradation, and air pollution may cause Pakistan’s GDP to shrink by 18-20 per cent by 2050.

Agriculture plays a crucial role in Pakistan as most of its citizens are employed in the agricultural sector, which consists of 37.54 per cent of the workforce. In 2022, about four million acres of farmland were flooded and 800,000 cattle were killed.

In March 2023, 1.8 million people were still surrounded by stagnant floodwater from the 2022 flood. This resulted in many farmers missing the winter season crop, leading to a decrease in agricultural output.

Climate change is a serious threat to Pakistan’s economy and security. South Asia will see more intense and frequent heat waves, a rise in humid heat stress and an increase in both annual and summer monsoon rainfall. Scientific studies have shown that climate change was a significant contributing factor to the catastrophic floods in 2022 that directly affected more than 30 million people in Pakistan through loss of life, public infrastructure and shelter. Loss and damage reports suggest millions more have been and will continue to be affected by agricultural asset and production damage and loss.

Empowering families through education, changing consumption habits and advocacy is critical for meaningful and effective climate action. Families pass values across generations, so encouraging sustainable habits and climate awareness in families from an early age is important. If left unchecked, climate change will undo a lot of the development progress made over the past years. It will also provoke mass migrations that will lead to instability and conflicts.

The writer is a playwright and a freelance journalist. He can be reached at pashajaved1@gmail.com and his blogging site: soulandland.co