Considering the current conditions around the world when it comes to environment and atmosphere, it is an easy derivation to establish that ever since the Pre Industrial Revolution, when coal and other natural resources were burned for light and other necessities, the earth’s climate has suffered acutely. Unbeknownst to the people then, however, was the fact that combustion of fossil fuels causes the formation of toxic gases which are extremely harmful to humans, the atmosphere, and also are one the main reasons that have caused global warming to accelerate at such a high rate over the past few centuries. These activities have caused an increase the earth’s global average temperature by 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degree Fahrenheit) per decade. According to NASA, this number is currently in the process of increasing by 0.2 degrees Celsius every decade and is predicted to proceed rising at an unprecedented rate over the next millennia. It is said that the human activities, especially fossil fuel burning, since the 1950s has resulted in contributing 95% to the current warming trend.
What is Climate Change?
Climate change can be scientifically described as the weather conditions and changes of a particular region, or area, over a long period of time. Generally, however, it refers to the earth’s surface temperature increasing at an alarming rate over the past centuries.
So what exactly causes climate change? The most common phenomenon known to directly be a cause of climate change is global warming. Global warming is caused by human activities such as fossil fuel burning, for example the petrol and gas we use for our cars, which actively work to increase the levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases that have a huge hand in increasing the earth’s surface temperature.
However, climate change cannot solely be attributed to human activities as natural occurring phenomena have somewhat an equal hand. Some of the examples of such natural occurrences are internal variability, such as the cyclical ocean patters, and external forcings which include earth’s orbital variations, volcanic activities and changes in suns energy outputs.
Effects of Climate Change in Pakistan
Studies conducted between 1999 and 2018 put Pakistan amongst the top 5 countries to have faced the worst affects in terms of climate due to climate change. Further predictions suggests that this is only the beginning as, due to the increasing temperatures, Pakistan is going to suffer much loss in terms of agriculture, floods, and cyclones, droughts etc. Read about the smoke that cause the air quality of Lahore and Delhi.
As the earth’s temperature increases, it is eventually going to cause inflated heat conditions which is a direct threat to water stressed, arid and semi-arid, areas of the country. This has a negative effect on the agricultural growth of that region, consequently leading to drought. On the other hand, this surge of heat is causing the ice to melt in the Himalayas which, in turn, will cause the sea levels to raise leading to two different yet equally possible and probable outcomes:
Firstly, the heat is going to cause the water to evaporate from the sea thus causing an escalation in monsoon. Growing rains have an adverse effect on agriculture as the plants become waterlogged and eventually die.
Secondly, high levels of waters in combination with raising sea surface temperature is a direct cause of cyclonic activities posing a immediate and great threat to the coastal cities such as Karachi, Gawader, etc.
Increased water levels will also lead to an increase in the frequency and intensity floods. These floods will expedite siltation in dams and will prompt saline water to enter into the Indus river system wreaking havoc on the marine life and coastal agriculture, like mangroves. Not to mention the treaties of Indus River which supply water to the entire base of agriculture in different parts of Punjab. Saline water will very likely cause the vegetation to die in just a matter of weeks and, in time, will bring about severe shortage of food supply.
Not only that but this shift in temperature is potentially endangering the entire ecosystem of the remaining forests including insects, animals, birds and plants. Since seeds have different optimal temperatures that they thrive in, due to the raised heat, some of these seeds lose their ideal environment to grow. Even the migration patterns of the birds and animals will be disturbed immensely due to the intense weather.
Actions taken by the government
Many steps are being taken by the Pakistani government to reduce the effects of climate change via various ways. One of such organisations dedicated to a better future for Pakistan is a very successful initiative taken by none other than the Prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, himself. Clean and Green Pakistan Movement was established on 8th October 2018, with the sole aim to create a clean and green environment for our future generations. This organisation has five main objectives which include tree plantation, solid waste management, safe drinking water, liquid waste management and total sanitation and hygiene promotion.
Other than that, after becoming the Prime Minister, Imran Khan has also launched a 5 year project called the “10 billion Tree Tsunami” which was previously known as the “Billion Tree Tsunami” back in 2014, in his efforts to try and reverse the deforestation that has been going on for decades.
In addition to that, the government has banned the use of plastic bags for groceries and other activities and is actively in the process of implementing the orders. Since plastic is non-biodegradable, which means it cannot be broken down by bacteria and other microorganisms, the only way to get rid of it is to either burn it, which creates toxic fumes that are harmful for humans and the environment, or throw it in the ocean, which then puts marine life at danger.
Another action taken against the effects of climate change is the formation of a cabinet level ministry known as the Ministry of Climate Change, established in 2017, which is solely created for, and dedicated to, keeping the country safe from the consequences of climate change.
What can we do to help?
It might seem like it is something above our pay grade combating something as vast and inevitable as climate change however it is very true what they say, “every little bit counts”. There are numerous initiatives we can take to ensure our part in keeping our country safe. One example of such an initiative could be helping by segregating our trash. This way, it becomes easier to recycle wastes such as metal, and the compost can be used to create methane gas which is flammable and can be used in place of natural gas for stoves and ovens.
We can use paper bags or handmade cloth bags instead of plastic ones which, while helping small businesses, will also simultaneously ensure that we do not add to pollution. Companies are also at work creating hybrid, and even totally green, cars in order to reduce the carbon monoxide levels which is created as a waste gas in the process of breakdown of petroleum for vehicular use.
It might seem like an impossible task but all we need to do is stay resilient in our efforts and actively take part in volunteering programmes and such to make sure that we keep our environment clean and safe. Just remember that there is nothing we cannot accomplish as a nation if we put our minds to it. Oceans can be made by one drop at a time.
