Environmental degradation: Pakistan vulnerable to climate change despite low emissions

Participants at seminar decry absence of research, govt’s neglect

PESHAWAR:

Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change even though it has one of the lowest carbon emission rates. However, the last environmental assessment of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was conducted in 2009.

This was said by environmentalists at a seminar titled ‘Climate changes: rising threats and challenges’ held at a hotel in the city on Wednesday. The event was organised by Friedrich Naumann Foundation.

“Pakistan’s global carbon emission ratio stands at 0.8%,” Dr Muhammad Rafiq, a professor at Institute of Management Sciences (IMSciences), said. “However, some of its cities are on the list of the most polluted cities in the world.”



He cited data collected by World Health Organization, which suggests Peshawar was ranked the sixth most polluted city in the world. The list also includes other cities such as Karachi and Quetta.

“We have to do our best to control climate change on the local level,” Rafiq added.

According to the IMSciences professor, the continuous increase in global temperatures has impacted agriculture, access to sanitation and the availability of clean water.

Dearth of research

Participants also drew attention to the absence of research, and the failure of NGOs and the government to give priority to climate change. The last environmental assessment of the province was conducted in 2009. Since then, no comprehensive study has been carried out.

“Climate change and pollution is contributing to cardiovascular diseases,” Adil Zarif, a founding member of the Sarhad Conservation Network, said. “We don’t have evidence-based policies. [Such policies] must be tailored to prevent diseases.”

Domino effect

According to Zarif, 300 micrograms per cubic metres of air pollutants were recorded in Phandu in the city.

“This has been directly affecting our respiratory system,” Zarif said. “Pollution can cause cardiovascular diseases and pulmonary inflation. It also has an impact on the nervous system and can cause cancer.”

He added the government has also failed to implement its order against the use of rubber at brick kilns in the provincial capital. “There are over 400 brick kilns in the city [which use rubber],” Zarif said.

Limited productivity

During the seminar, participants also discussed how rising mercury levels have impacted agriculture.

“When temperature increases, it decreases the maturity of the crop and results in limited production,” said Dr Inamullah, a professor of agronomy at University of Agriculture. According to the professor, farmers are confused about what crops to grow as there is uncertainty regarding seasons.

Inamullah said carbon gas has reduced the productivity of crops. He added yields of various crops, such as wheat, maize, apples, have decreased significantly.

Global priority

Climate change remains an issue of global priority. On Tuesday, routine life in Beijing, China came to a standstill as smog covered the city’s skyline.

The Paris Climate Conference (COP21) is being held in Le Bourget, Paris, from November 30 to December 11 to address a series of environmental challenges. However, Pakistan’s presentation at the conference has come under harsh scrutiny as many called it ill-prepared and inadequate.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th,  2015.