Climate change and Karachi

Letter May 08, 2024
Climate change and Karachi

KARACHI:

Karachi, once a vibrant and thriving city of Pakistan, blessed with the beauty of all four seasons, now struggles to breathe under the weight of global warming and pollution. Once a city of balmy winters, gentle springs and mild autumns, Karachi now swelters in the scorching heat of summer, with temperatures soaring higher each year. The rains, once a welcome respite, have become a rare and distant memory. The pollution, a constant companion, chokes our lungs and dulls our skies.

I remember the Karachi of my childhood, where the seasons danced in harmony. The winters brought cozy nights and warm cups of tea, the springs painted the city with vibrant colours, the summers brought the sweet scent of mangoes, and the autumns whispered gentle breezes. But now, our city is a shadow of its former self.

The consequences of global warming and pollution are stark and terrifying. Rising temperatures, melting glaciers and extreme weather events are the new norm. We are losing our planet, our home, our Karachi.

But it’s still not too late. We can make a change. We can reduce our carbon footprint, use public transport, plant as many trees as possible and support renewable energy. We can demand action from our leaders and hold them accountable.

Let us come together to reclaim our city, our planet, and our future. Let us fight for the Karachi of our childhood, where the seasons still danced in harmony.

Sana Ahmed

Karachi

Published in The Express Tribune, May 8th, 2024.

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