Karachi’s climate quandary

Absence of an efficient mass transit system in city has magnified environmental strain

Karachi, the economic heartbeat of Pakistan, finds itself at the crossroads of an environmental crisis. The city’s vulnerability to air pollution and escalating temperatures demands immediate attention, not only as a local concern but as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of climate challenges on a global scale.

The absence of an efficient mass transit system in Karachi has magnified the environmental strain, with increased fuel consumption posing a direct threat to public health. There is indeed a troubling correlation between air pollution exposure and a spectrum of illnesses, from cardiopulmonary diseases to mental health issues. WHO estimates seven million deaths in 2012 attributed to air pollution — a figure that should serves as a wake-up call, positioning air pollution as a pre-eminent health risk globally. Environmental factors account for 24% of the global disease burden and 23% of all deaths, creating an urgent need for a paradigm shift in how we approach environmental issues. A key proposal emanating from experts is the implementation of a bespoke heat management plan for Karachi. The city’s vulnerability to extreme heat, as evidenced by devastating heatwaves in 2015 and 2020, necessitates this. Experts have also raised alarm about Karachi’s ominous weather forecast, with predictions of a significant decrease in rainfall in Pakistan, with the possibility of minimal to no rain by 2025. Combine this with the projection that temperatures in Pakistan could soar to a blistering 50 degrees Celsius by 2027, and the urgency for comprehensive environmental policies becomes all the more apparent.

The time for action is now. Karachi must prioritise the development of sustainable transportation solutions, invest in green infrastructure and implement stringent air quality regulations. In the face of this urgent crisis, complacency is not an option as the health and well-being of the citizens are at stake.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2023.

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