Heatwaves

Pakistan is responsible for less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet the country is paying an enormous price for manmade climate change. The country’s poorest and most vulnerable are the hardest hit by the climate crisis. Daily wagers, health workers and senior citizens living in some of Pakistan’s hottest cities will be at the forefront of the heat waves hitting the country.

Daily wagers who make up 71.7% of the labour force are offered little to no social safety net by the government. Resultantly, they have little choice but to continue working outdoors in extreme weather conditions. Many of these workers and their families reside in informal settings across the country, which are directly exposed to heat. The elderly are more vulnerable to chronic diseases, and the absence of a continuous electricity supply has further exacerbated their plight. People living in poverty cannot afford UPS systems or generators or set up solar panels. The burgeoning water shortage further prevents people from cooling off by bathing or drinking cold water. Additionally, women living in impoverished settings have to work in kitchens with no ventilation, which increases the risks of suffocation and strokes.

Within the last few years, thousands of people have lost their lives due to heat strokes, while many others experienced increased dizziness, abnormal breathing patterns, headaches, burning sensations, etc. The lack of government relief and protection for the most vulnerable during periods of extreme heat is a violation of their rights and safety. The government must acknowledge the need to implement comprehensive heat action plans as well as provide some form of social protection to the marginalised and vulnerable groups. Given that Pakistan is bearing the brunt of the global north’s industrial activities, it needs to pressure international organisations and wealthier countries to fulfil their commitments, particularly by providing the country with adequate financial assistance so that it can support the people effectively.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2023.

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