Global warming is the burning issue of the world. It is causing catastrophic climate changes and annihilating the planet in dangerous ways. Apart from all this, there are more dangerous effects of this issue on the economy. Firstly we have to take look at the concept of the greenhouse effect and global warming then we will describe its impact on Pakistan.
Greenhouse effect
It is a natural phenomenon by which the earth retains some of the energy of sunrays and then utilizes it to sustain life on earth. The process of the greenhouse effect is mediated by a layer of gases present around planet earth. These gases are named greenhouse gases.
Global warming
Global warming is an enhanced version of the greenhouse effect. Intensive human activities like the burning of excessive coal, deforestation, and other drastic activities have depleted the protective layer around the earth. In other words, these activities have contributed to the enhancement of greenhouse gases.
How global warming has affected the whole world?
Global warming has affected the whole world in drastic ways. The temperature of the planet has been increased in drastic ways. Due to excessive greenhouses gases in our atmosphere, there has been an increment of about 0.74 degrees Celsius in global temperature. This increase in temperature has caused several environmental issues around the globe.
Following are some impacts that global warming has caused:
| Environmental effects | – Desertification – Extinction of useful species – Bad impact on aquatic systems |
| Weather extremities | – Hurricanes – Cyclones – Droughts – Floods Long summers – Short winters |
| Weather reservoirs | – Melting glaciers – Lack of freshwater – A rise in sea levels |
The effects of global warming on Pakistan
Pakistan, a country located in South Asia, is an autonomous country. Pakistan is a country full of natural beauty. The country is blessed with the most top-height mountains, glaciers, rivers, and forests. But all this beauty is being affected by some global issues. Lands are becoming barren. Air has been polluted. This thing makes every Pakistani’s heart aching.
Global warming has affected Pakistan very adversely. Pakistan’s economy is mainly dependent on agriculture. But the climate change due to global warming has affected its agricultural land drastically.
Most of the Pakistani land has become barren. The land has turned into dry patches. The main resource of fresh water in Pakistan is melting snow. Another water resource is monsoon rains. But global warming has also created some very adverse effects on the environment. Here in this article, we will have a look at some of the adversities caused by global warming.
Environmental changes
Pakistan is a developing country and is striving hard to sustain its economy. But the changing environment has caused many difficulties for this land. Global warming caused drastic environmental effects. A glimpse of these environmental changes is as follows:
- Droughts
Pakistan has faced many drought situations in the previous decade. It is the situation in which the agricultural ability of land decreases due to environmental changes. The drought has affected Pakistan in several other fields. Poultry production in Pakistan decreased.
The rivers became dry and Pakistan tried its best to sustain the economy as we have to import several food items. In Sindh, the drought situation is quite terrible. Children face malnutrition. Most children die due to a lack of food. Women die during labor. In short global warming has put drastic impacts on Pakistan.
- Cyclones
Pakistan is a small country and doesn’t contribute much to world pollution. But the developed countries have caused much pollution in the world. All this has caused several drastic impacts on Pakistan as well. It has been seen that there is a huge increase in cyclones frequency during the last couple of years. Moreover, every year the intensity of the cyclone has been increased.
The increasing frequency of cyclones indicates a drastic future impact in major cities of Pakistan. There is a strong need for serious steps to be taken.
- Temperature increase
The summer span has been increased during the last couple of years. We also observe shortened winter span. This change has caused certain health issues as well. Pakistan has faced several waves of heat during the last couple of years. in 2010, the temperature of Sindh became 53.5 degrees Celsius. This is the hottest temperature Pakistan has ever seen. As a result of this heatwave, about 18 people died.
- The rise in sea levels
Global warming has increased the temperature of Pakistan. As a consequence, glaciers melt. This has caused an increase in sea levels. As a result, an important part of agricultural land has been lost. Thatta, a city of Pakistan, known for its agricultural prosperity, has lost its six subdivisions. Those subdivisions have become a part of the sea. In short, the rising level of water has engulfed the land.
Condition of food security in Pakistan in the context of global warming
Global warming has caused drastic food security issues in Pakistan. Food security is the situation in which every citizen of a country gets a sufficient amount of food all the time. Unfortunately, due to a major bump in the economy, a catastrophic food security issue has arisen.
People sell their children to get money. The situation is alarming. Some people prefer suicide over poverty. The current covid situation has added fuel to fire. The world should take a look at developing countries. Due to the terrible actions of big nations, small nations face drastic changes. If the situation remains the same, a humanitarian crisis can be seen.
How Pakistan is doing to reduce global warming
Pakistan has taken several useful steps to put its part in reducing global warming. Though the steps are not enough yet Pakistan is striving hard to put its best in this regard. The prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan is very much conscious of climate change. He is passionate to take all important steps. Pakistan has started the cultivation of forests as well as a plantation. In this regard, several campaigns have been launched.
A clean green initiative of Pakistan
The Prime minister of Pakistan has launched a five-year campaign to tackle the environmental problem. The main purpose of this movement is to firstly clean Islamabad and make it green by plantation.
After Islamabad, the campaign will be extended to the provincial level. Under this campaign, the plantation has been started in Islamabad.
This initiative of the prime minister has five basic pillars given as:
- Safe and clean drinking water
- Proper management of solid waste
- The best management of liquid waste
- Tree plantation
Fund for ecosystem restoration
Further moving on, Pakistan has launched a fund for eco-system restoration. This is a highly appreciated step of the Pakistan government. A land of about 7300 km2 will be conserved. The project will also lead towards the creation of about 5500 jobs in Pakistan.
Policy for electric vehicles
Pakistan has taken an initiative towards public transport. According to this policy, the government will try to add electric vehicles to the system. This will reduce pollution and will directly contribute to cutting off the production of greenhouse gases.
A program of 10 billion trees
Another initiative to make Pakistan green and reduce global warming is the 10 billion tree tsunami program of the government. According to this program, about 10 billion trees will be planted in Pakistan. Pakistan nation at ground level is taking part in this program. This program has contributed much cleanliness to Pakistan.
Final words
Global warming is a serious issue to be addressed. Big nations should consider this issue on immediate grounds. As if this issue is not addressed properly, there will be chances of several other drastic impacts. Countries like Pakistan have to suffer greatly in this entire situation. As such issues are making huge impacts on the economy of such countries.
Pakistan has done an excellent job to put its part in reducing this situation. Every country should appreciate Pakistan’s efforts in this regard and try to help all small nations. This will lead to making the world a better place.
I have addressed one important issue that is affecting the whole world but especially my region. There are many more issues to be addressed. The situation after Covid is not much good in the whole world. Pakistan has done some great work in this regard too. The timely decision taken by our government saved the nation from a much intense situation.
