OP29 in Baku is trying to build global consensus on what can be described as matters of collective survival. These include limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degree Celsius; helping vulnerable communities adapt to the cumulative effects of climate change; and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. From a national urban perspective, the three precepts must constitute our top priority agenda. The way many cities and towns in the Punjab have been engulfed by the crippling smog establishes utmost urgency for dealing with climate change matters as a national emergency. Cities are engines of economic growth and prime locations of production and consumption. Careful urban and regional planning should mitigate the rising effects of climate change.

The response so far has been well below desirable levels. In recent years, monsoons have wrought havoc in many parts of the country. Quetta and Gwadar have experienced unprecedented rainfall that damaged strategic urban infrastructure and private assets. Quetta was cut off for many days as rail and road connections were severed by torrential rains and regional flash floods. To the dismay of citizens, the city and provincial authorities seemed to have been caught unawares. It is disappointing to note that despite clear warnings about potential changes in weather cycles, preparedness and awareness was found wanting.

Prominent climate related challenges at national level include droughts, excessive precipitation, depletion of aquifers, spread of water logging/ salinity, melting of glaciers, flash floods, untimely rains, acid rain, reduction in forest cover, marine pollution and sea level rise. Apart from the global factors, sizeable damage has been caused as a consequence of unregulated real estate development and rampant changes in land use. Forests and agricultural tracts in many areas have been converted to residential, commercial and industrial land use without waiting for administrative sanction or professional appraisal/ environmental impact assessment.

Coastal locations in Pakistan are facing a serious threat to mangrove forests from Gizri and Korangi. Development of large-scale real estate projects along Karachi South is one reason for loss of mangrove cover. Another factor that has led to this catastrophe is the reckless cutting of mangrove branches and trunks by coastal communities for use as fire wood. Field studies have shown that local communities continue to uproot and consume mangrove plants for mundane utilisation. Uneven land reclamation by some ambitious developers has cut away water flow. Marine ecology is also impacted by raw sewage inflow. At present, more than 400 million gallons of sewage is passed into the Arabian Sea from Karachi on a daily basis. Human waste, sludge, acids, biodegradables and toxic substances go untreated into the sea. The coastline microenvironment is thus constantly degraded. Unchecked oil spills from ships are also a source of pollution. Thousands of tonnes of used oil are discharged along the Karachi coast in the absence of effective monitoring.

Development of large-scale real estate projects along Karachi South is one reason for removal of mangrove cover. Another factor that has led to this catastrophe is the reckless cutting of mangrove branches and trunks by coastal communities for use as fire wood. 

The Indus delta is spread over an area of 0.6 million hectares between Korangi and Sir Creeks. The fresh water flow in Indus is its lifeline. Some studies have shown that 8.6 million acre feet water is needed down the delta to maintain the unique habitat. The estuaries run dry for part of the year. Sea ingress and threat of soil quality degradation are two principal hazards faced by local communities. It may be noted that high salinity adversely impacts the aquatic life and freshwater fishing populations. Over harvesting of marine resources, naturally occurring meandering of creeks, grazing of marine greenery by cattle and camels are some of the concerns. Due to climate change impacts, more than 1.2 million people from the region have migrated to Karachi. A comprehensive regional plan is needed to examine the threats and for design of contextually appropriate solutions.

Our corridors of movement also become the sites of shelter. When one travels along major highways, one finds people squatting along road shelter spaces or the adjoining areas. Mostly affected by a natural disaster, such people are seldom rehabilitated. To survive, these settlers cut trees and bushes to obtain fire wood and other resources. Dislocation of population and re-location to places unprepared for settlement destroy flora and fauna. Scientists estimate the forest depletion rate to be 800 sq km per annum. This loss of forests causes soil erosion. Conservation of forests is a natural regulator of climate and topographical conditions. Where there is lawlessness, the forest cover can be lost quickly as vested interests cannot be stopped. The existing institutional arrangements for the management of forest lands fall grossly short of the need. Massive corruption renders the monitoring process ineffective. Unless political will to resist it is developed soon, it is feared that the damage will lead to more environmental catastrophes.

Urban development must happen in a planned manner and be guided by climate change considerations. Some headway has been made in this respect. Karachi Climate Action Plan is nearing completion under the leadership of the city mayor. A comprehensive legal and administrative cover is needed to enable the prescription of this plan to achieve its objectives. Lahore Climate Action Plan has been initiated under the stewardship of the Punjab government. The authorities will do well to expedite the good work and implement it on a war footing. Adequate financial and human resources must be allocated towards implementation of the plans. Effective strategies should be replicated in other cities of the country.

The writer is an academic and researcher based in Karachi