We also need to focus on local communities
KARACHI: Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges with earth-shattering consequences and if left unattended, it would bring about disastrous results for the world. To tackle this issue, a concerted effort is needed by all countries, large and small. We all have a shared responsibility and a role to play.
Though Pakistan has only one per cent of the greenhouse footprint, the country is among the top 10 most-affected countries on the Global Climate Risk Index (CRI 2016), and is facing a number of climate-related challenges, including rising temperatures, unpredictable changes in precipitation patterns, increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, recurring droughts and floods, groundwater pollution, rising sea levels, potential for heightened conflicts over water rights between riparian regions and states, increased health risks due to changes in disease vectors, environmental degradation, especially of water-related ecosystems, declining agricultural productivity, etc. The country must be more committed to playing its role in global efforts for tackling climate change, and is following the principles therein to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions.
Pakistan needs to become a low-carbon society and to achieve an environmentally-sound economy. People need to play a role individually from forest conservation and rehabilitation to renewable energy and sustainable agricultural practices in protecting the environment. We also need to focus on local communities.
Nasir Soomro
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2018.
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