Do away with myopia

Short-sightedness is significantly hampering Pakistan’s ability to cope with global crises like climate change, inequality and the pandemic. Let me explain. These crises are not only complex but they are ‘hyper’ in nature. Through this interpretation, global problems can be better understood as an accumulation of multiple effects which converge on a single cause and hence emulate their own space and time. This means that since crises have developed multiple affects that have exponentially intensified over many years, they cannot be solved through myopic initiatives.

We are all well aware that Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries with regard to climate change. The longstanding problem of air pollution, one of the many effects of climate change, has reached fatal levels in Punjab as contaminates in the air shoot up due to the burning of crops every October and November. While the provincial government’s decision to provide machines to 500 rice farmers in Lahore under the Happy Seeder programme may provide some short-term relief, the initiative alone does nothing when it comes to combatting climate change. A report by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation notes that agriculture only contributes to 20% of total air pollutant emissions, while industries and transport contribute 25% and 40% respectively. This makes it apparent that collective and immediate action is required.

Regrettably, even after raised awareness regarding sustainable and eco-friendly development, the concerned authorities remain oblivious about the true nature of the crisis, with many not being able to differentiate between global warming and climate change. They, instead, act only to curb specific event for short-term relief. The hyper nature that climate change has taken on indicates that not only do decisions need to be taken preemptively by constantly monitoring changes in the environment and atmosphere before a significant event occurs, but through adequate knowledge long-term solutions need to be introduced if we are to survive such threat in the future.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2020.

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