Allah Nawaz Khan
Climate change is affecting the entire world, and Pakistan is also severely impacted by it. Rising temperatures, unseasonal and unexpected rainfall, rapid melting of glaciers, floods, and droughts are proving highly damaging not only to Pakistan’s economy but also to human life.
The continuous increase in the intensity of both heat and cold is extremely alarming. Due to the rise in average temperature, summers are becoming longer. The duration of winter is shortening, yet its intensity is increasing due to climate change. As global temperatures rise, cold winds from the North Pole shift toward various countries, increasing the severity of cold in those regions. Pakistan is also affected by these winds, which lead to dense fog and smog.
Rising temperatures cause glaciers to melt rapidly, resulting in the formation of glacial lakes. These lakes cannot withstand the increasing water pressure and eventually burst, causing devastating glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) that inflict severe damage.
The increasing intensity of both heat and cold creates multiple problems. Extreme heat and cold not only damage crops but also harm human health. Unexpected rainfall often occurs, causing significant damage to crops. Strong winds and storms are also highly destructive. Crops such as wheat, cotton, and other grains are being badly affected by climate change. Floods and heavy rains further destroy agricultural produce.
Climate change is also severely impacting human health. Heatwaves cause heatstroke, waterborne diseases, and various other illnesses.
Factories use coal, oil, and gas as fuel, emitting smoke that is extremely harmful. Vehicle exhaust is also polluting the environment. The use of plastic is increasing rapidly, and its negative effects are numerous. Plastic pollutes the environment and spreads water contamination.
During hotter months, water consumption rises significantly. Crops also require more water, while the unavailability of water for human needs has become a common issue. If crops do not receive timely water, they fail to produce the expected yield.
Natural disasters also damage crops. Often, excessive rainfall, storms, and hailstorms cause heavy losses — sometimes completely destroying the harvest. Floods not only damage crops but also ruin the land where they are cultivated. Rehabilitating this land for farming after floods is a very expensive process.
All the above issues are arising due to climate change. If these changes are not addressed immediately, the future consequences will be extremely terrifying. The atmosphere will become increasingly toxic, making it dangerous to breathe.
To combat these changes, we must stop unnecessary cutting of trees. There is an urgent need for large-scale tree plantation. The government should seriously launch tree-planting campaigns. Cutting trees without reason should be legally banned. Schemes should be introduced to encourage citizens to plant as many trees as possible.
Smoke from factories must be filtered. Environment-friendly vehicles should be promoted. Electric vehicles are much better for the environment than fuel-based ones. Public transport should be preferred over private vehicles. Traveling on foot or by bicycle is beneficial for both health and the environment. Many diseases can be controlled by walking or cycling.
Unnecessary use of electricity should be stopped. Electricity should only be used as needed in offices and homes. Wastage of water must also be prevented. Water usage during ablution, bathing, washing vehicles, or clothes should be minimized.
The use of solar energy should be increased instead of traditional fuels like oil and coal. Both small and large dams need to be built. Ponds and reservoirs should be constructed to store rainwater, which can then be used for drinking and irrigation.
Agriculture should be modernized, and climate-resilient crops should be cultivated that can give better yields even in hot weather. Waste should be disposed of properly. It can also be used as fertilizer. The best approach is to recycle the waste.
Climate change is not only affecting Pakistan but the whole world. It is important to note that developed countries, which have more industries and consume more energy, are largely responsible for causing climate change. However, Pakistan must start tackling these changes immediately at its own level.
Tree plantation does not cost much,sometimes trees can be grown with free seeds or saplings. Both the government and the public must work together. If timely action is not taken, it will become very difficult to deal with the problems that will arise in the future.
Constructing dams is essential, and water wastage must be stopped. If climate change is controlled to a reasonable extent, human health will improve and crops will also grow better. A clean environment is extremely important for human life.
We must start taking action immediately — as much as we possibly can.
Email: allahnawazk012@gmail.com
