Population and climate change
Numerous studies have indicated that population growth will aggravate the adverse effects of climate change around the world. The world population is already said to have crossed 8 billion, but population density in developing countries of South Asia is alarmingly high and shows no signs of slowing down.
Pakistan is front and centre not just of the climate crisis but also of a population explosion that is making it impossible to govern in an equitable manner, especially with the stronghold of the ruling elite. As a result, major cities across the country have had to deal with refugees and internal displacements. The recent super floods in the country forced scores of people to migrate to more habitable land. But with time, more and more areas will fall prey to the effects of climate change, and cities — currently considered safer — might witness a further boost in population. The situation is unsustainable for everyone and the population debate must be given priority in the overall national discourse. Pakistani officials have failed to take this crucial factor into account, even at the recent COP27 conference in Sharm el-Sheikh. As resources get scantier, cities will not be able to cope with the high population problem and thousands will find themselves in a vulnerable position.
The theme of population management needs to be included in policymaking, and stringent measures should be adopted to control population growth. This must include awareness programmes about family planning in order to bust myths. The elite of Pakistan have long been in control of resources and only the leftovers trickle down to the most vulnerable segments. Therefore, it must also be ensured that resources are distributed in an equitable manner.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 26th, 2022.
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