Climate change is no longer a myth, but it is now a crisis of our time. Pakistan a country rich in landscape and different climate is becoming a front line in the battle against climate change. Climate change is not a concern specifically related to Pakistan, but it is a pressing challenge worldwide. Before seeking what steps should be taken to combat climate change in Pakistan, it’s important first to grasp what climate change entails, including its causes and consequences.
Climate change is a long-term change in weather in different parts of the world. It should not be confused with global warming, as it is the overall increase in temperature of the world. Climate change is not a phenomenon that is caused naturally but humans are the culprits behind this. As the industrial revolution began in the 1750’s there was a great spike in CO2 emission levels. The after-effects we see today are in the form of climate change. Pakistan, a developing nation, does not produce the majority of the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, but it is among those that are more susceptible to its consequences, including floods, droughts, and excessive heat waves. Rapid urbanization, population growth, the use of fossil fuels for energy production, and the careless burning of waste are some of the main causes of climate change.
Steps to combat climate in Pakistan
Few steps should be taken by our government to combat climate change as following:
- Switching to renewable energy resources: One of the most effective ways to tackle climate change is by transitioning to renewable energy. In Pakistan, fossil fuels are the primary source of energy generation, leading to greenhouse gas emissions and rising temperatures. Furthermore, it is economically expensive to create energy from fossil fuels, but converting to renewable energy costs just once in a lifetime. The government should take the initiative to invest in renewable energy infrastructure. Solar energy installation should be scaled up at urban and rural levels. One of the best ways is to install solar plates in the desert ecosystem as there is minimal vegetation in that area. Still, the problem here is that it takes long transmission lines to transfer energy. The ideal approach is to cover parking lots, just like they do in France; this will be costly but worthwhile. These solar plates shade the cars in addition to providing electricity to large malls.
- Green farming: As Pakistan is an agricultural country, agriculture is the primary source of income for the Pakistani people. These individuals become increasingly vulnerable to climate change, including catastrophes like flooding, drought, extreme heat waves, and erratic rainfall. Farmers must be made aware of the detrimental effects of fertilizers on crops and soil, as well as how they release nitrous dioxide, a powerful greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Furthermore, they should get familiar with the issue of soil erosion. To protect soil organic content, monoculture and traditional tillage should be avoided.
- Proper waste management: Improper waste management is deeply inked with greenhouse gas emissions. Pakistan faces major problems in waste management systems having no well-established infrastructure. Improper waste management will lead to anaerobic decomposition of waste which releases methane a greenhouse gas. The absence of designated garbage disposal facilities is one of the main issues in this instance. The majority of the waste is dumped in the streets. The processing of recycling waste is completely absent. Recycling is necessary which will lead to decreased waste. People should be educated to separate their waste into categories like paper, glass, and cloth. The government should strictly overlook waste management techniques to make our cities clean.
- Carbon pricing: The best approach to stop CO2 as the main pollutant of greenhouse gases that provokes climate change is to fix the price of carbon emissions. The price set up by the UN is $100 per metric ton. It is one of the best steps to curb carbon dioxide, the industrialists should become aware of the devastating effects of using fossil fuels as their main energy source, which will encourage them to work towards pollution-free energy production. Cap and trade systems should also be initially encouraged.
- Afforestation: Forests are critical to both climate change mitigation and the health of our environment. They not only protect our biodiversity but become the main constituent of making our environment pollution-free by absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide. In addition to destroying animal habitat, cutting down trees emits a large amount of carbon dioxide into the upper atmosphere. These forests also prevent soil erosion and land sliding. Planting trees at the government level should be encouraged. Projects like the “Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme” should be revised to protect our environment. The global plantation initiatives also serve as a source of inspiration to do plantation. “The Great Green Wall” in Africa is a vast project that aims to plant 100 million trees to combat desertification, and climate change and improve soil fertility.
- Participating In International Conferences: international climate conferences will not only help Pakistan combat climate change but also provide a platform for exchanging knowledge. Sharing innovative strategies and discussing solutions to the devastating climate change will leave a positive mark globally on Pakistan’s image. The government of Pakistan should become part of organizations that provide funding to combat climate change. This will enable Pakistan to join the fight to make our planet sustainable without having any financial burden.
Human interventions necessary:
Besides a lot of government initiatives, the most important thing is that how a lay man can contribute to cope with determinal effects of climate change. A need for collective action is required, in which all of the human can do their part equally.
- Educate others: A vital step to make our atmosphere clean is to educate people about basic of climate change. For children, a special chapter at every class should be included, for elders, seminars at society levels should be arranged in which people should be encouraged and solution-oriented talks should be appreciated. The most tough job in this regard is to educate people at rural levels. We should find people who will voluntarily take part to educate them.
- Waste management: People should be informed through digital and electronic media how to do proper waste management in your areas. Anyone who is found guilty of polluting environment, or seen not following rules should be strictly reported to local police.
- Social media platforms: It is the time of social media. Social activists should make strong social media fan following so that people can get knowledge as well as inspiration from others.
Climate change cannot be turned around overnight, it takes long-term dedication to make a difference and heal from its hurt. Being among the countries most endangered by climate change, for Pakistan it is a particularly difficult challenge along its road to resilience and recovery. While the country continues to battle facing floods, heatwaves and droughts — all being direct implications of climate-induced disasters, it is high time not only on adaptation or mitigation strategies but a cry for “climate justice”.
The Author, Fatima Sultan is a dedicated BS Chemistry student, with a strong academic record and experience interning at The Punjab Forensic Science Agency, Lahore. A scholarship-winning essayist on environmental sustainability, she is also an active book reviewer and YouTube lecturer.
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