Chief meteorologist calls for declaring climate emergency

Chief Meteorologist Dr Sardar Sarfraz has said that Pakistan's escalating population growth is exacerbating climate change issues. He called for declaring a climate emergency in the country, stressing the crucial role of government, private institutions, and religious leaders in addressing the crisis.

Dr Sarfraz was speaking at a seminar titled ‘The Impact of Growing Population on Climate Change,’ organised by the Karachi Press Club's Skills Development Committee in collaboration with the Global Awareness and Empowerment Network.

Director of Social Welfare Department Saeeda Sheikh, social activist Mehnaz Rehman, Head of Climate Action Centre Yasir Hussain, environmental expert Naeem Qureshi, and others expressed their concerns and suggestions during the seminar.

Dr Sarfraz attributed the rising temperatures to deforestation and population growth. He said that historical climate records show a 1.5-degree Celsius increase since 1850, with projections indicating further rises. This has adversely affected snowfall patterns in mountainous regions and disrupted rainfall cycles, necessitating immediate mitigation efforts.