Now or never

It has become absolutely vital for Pakistan to transition towards green energy and plan for a sustainable future. Experts have asserted that the time is now ripe for Pakistan to devise policies and invest in exploring multiple avenues for renewable energy — of which solar and hydro power should ideally be at the top of the list.

The fact that by now there is little to no progress indicates that depleting conditions haven’t yet taken a significant enough toll on those at the helm. Perhaps when that day comes, it might be too late. In the meantime, the common man has had to deal with the devastating effects of climate change — be it the yearly heatwaves and monsoon spells or natural disasters that have already displaced thousands. All this coupled with systemic corruption, ill devised policies, lack of maintenance, poor infrastructure and outdated technology, the power and energy sector of the country is in a deplorable state. Officials claim that natural resources, especially gas reserves, are depleting rather rapidly, and serious measures need to be taken to curtail a looming crisis. The situation, it seems, is rather substantial and cannot be solved through one-off initiatives. Instead the authorities need to use a two-pronged approach, one at an institutional and the other at the household level.

Sustainable eco-friendly policies need to be integrated in institutions nationwide with the help of various designers, environmentalists and stakeholders. Simultaneously, the government needs to invest in renewable energy sources through technological means. At the household level green initiatives like the kitchen gardening project should be broadened. Such an initiative has not only proved to combat inflation by encouraging citizens to produce organic vegetable in their own backyard, but it also helps in creating awareness regarding sustainability through the use of homemade compost and recycling of waste. The fight against climate change and global warming needs immediate, collective and conscious action if we are to mitigate its disastrous effects.