Shahzad Rasheed
In this century human race is facing a serious threat in the form of climate change which has undermines the survival of the human civilization. In simplest form climate change is the phenomenon by which the atmospheric changes take place which leads towards alternations in the global eco and bio spheres through slow natural processes. Climate change is caused by natural as well as by men made activities.
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.
Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures.
The main greenhouse gases that are causing climate change include carbon dioxide and methane. These come from using gasoline for driving a car or coal for heating a building, for example. Clearing land and cutting down forests can also release carbon dioxide. Agriculture, oil and gas operations are major sources of methane emissions. Energy, industry, transport, buildings, agriculture and land use are among the main sectors causing greenhouse gases.
Climate change poses a wide range of dangers, impacting both the environment and human health. These dangers include more frequent and intense extreme weather events like heat waves, droughts, and floods, as well as rising sea levels due to melting glaciers and ice sheets. Furthermore, climate change affects food security, water resources, and can exacerbate the spread of infectious diseases.
Broadly speaking, climate change is happening rapidly and producing negative impacts on Pakistan. Geologically, Pakistan is situated in area where the influences of climate change are being observed quite seriously. “Disasters like floods, droughts, and other natural calamities” are main examples of climate changes in Pakistan. There is huge economic, social and environmental impact due to this climatic disastrous. Statistics of 2010 floods show the catastrophic impacts over the 20 million lives of the people who lost their home, got wounded, and got missing.
Climate change significantly impacts Pakistan’s economy through agriculture, water resources, and infrastructure, leading to economic losses, food insecurity, and displacement. The country faces a projected GDP reduction of 18-20% by 2050 due to climate-related events, environmental degradation, and air pollution, according to the World Bank.
Climate change, including heat waves, water shortages, and erratic rainfall, severely affects agricultural productivity, impacting food security and livelihoods. Pakistan faces a significant gap in accessing international climate finance to address its climate-related needs.
In 2025, Pakistan faces significant economic challenges exacerbated by climate change. Projections indicate a severe water crisis, with per capita water availability declining to dangerously low levels. This, coupled with increased frequency of droughts and floods, is severely impacting agricultural productivity and food security, potentially leading to increased poverty and hunger. Furthermore, climate change impacts are expected to reduce crop yields, disrupt supply chains, and negatively affect vital exports, impacting foreign exchange earnings.
The nature of Pakistan’s economy is agro-based, and this is where these sudden worldwide environment changes are a major threat to Pakistan’s agriculture sector. Currently, the global reports are indicating that the nation is placed 12th among the countries, which are under serious threat due to these rapid weather changes. The varying degree of temperature rise and modifications in precipitation are extremely vulnerable for Pakistan, and there are great chances that it would severely damage country’s water resources, forests and agriculture, mostly on which the living and economy depends. The 2010 flooding in particular resulted in US$ 9.6 billion damages, and five successive floods since 2010 have caused more than US$25 billion of economic setback; the sectors that directly faced losses in it were public infrastructure, health, irrigation, agriculture and education infrastructure.
The 2023 floods in Pakistan had a significant negative impact on the country’s economy, leading to slower growth, increased inflation, and heightened poverty, particularly in rural areas. Initial estimates indicated economic losses ranging from $16 to $18 billion due to the floods. The World Bank estimated that flood damages exceeded $14.9 billion, with reconstruction needs estimated at over $16.3 billion. Major sectors affected included housing, agriculture, livestock, and transportation infrastructure. Sindh province was the hardest hit, accounting for nearly 70% of the total damages and losses.
Pakistan faces significant climate change challenges, including rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and water scarcity. To address these issues, Pakistan needs to implement a multi-pronged approach focused on mitigation and adaptation. This includes transitioning to clean energy, improving water management, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and enhancing community resilience. International cooperation and financial assistance are also crucial for Pakistan to effectively tackle climate change.
