Seminar highlights impact of environmental pollution

To create awareness about the importance of the impact of environmental pollution, an awareness seminar was organised by the Tarbela Dam management as part of the Tarbela Dam's Fifth Expansion Plan.

The speakers at the event said, "Climate change has life-threatening consequences. Other factors must also be severely implemented, besides planting trees to keep the environment fresh." Several diseases are caused by environmental contamination and pollution, they said, adding that everyone in society must perform their duties to maintain a natural environment.

They said that people must participate in combating climate change as it is harming Pakistan. The World Environment Day is observed worldwide, including in Pakistan, to raise awareness about environmental issues. The celebration aims to raise awareness about Pakistan's environmental damage and try to avert it. Climate change and global warming are currently the most serious issues being faced by the world.

They stated that Pakistan is one of the top 10 countries affected by climate change. According to a survey, Pakistan's temperature has risen by 0.9 degrees Celsius due to climate change in the 42 years since 1980. Our glaciers are melting at a rapid rate due to increasing temperatures.

Experts were of the view that water scarcity would affect 2/3 of Pakistan's population by 2040. A water management expert said that the country's agriculture is also being harmed by climate change. Unexpected rains and fluctuating heat and cold patterns are lowering agricultural yields, disrupting our food chain and perhaps resulting in food shortages in the country, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2022.