Challenges at home: Events lacked local focus

Due to rising temperatures, glaciers have been losing ice mass at a rate faster than ever before, Dr Rasul says

ISLAMABAD:

In various events organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and other relevant departments marking Earth Day, officials and scientists relied exclusively on foreign documentaries and studies instead of highlighting the more pressing environmental challenges such as receding glaciers at home.

Unfortunately, Pakistan is one of worst-affected countries due to climate change, in spite of the fact that the country’s share in global warming is only 0.8 per cent.

Pakistan Met Department (PMD)’s Chief Meteorologist Dr Ghulam Rasul told The Express Tribune that during the last 36 years, Pakistani glaciers have receded by 2.6 kilometres.

A recent study conducted by the PMD found six glaciers in the Karakoram Range melting at a rapid rate due to global warming.

The study found that Hinarchi Glacier had retreated by 300 metres during the last five years, Baulter Glacier by 400 meters in recent years and the Barpu Glacier by 640 metres since 1977.

Due to the rising temperatures, the glaciers have been losing ice mass at a rate faster than ever before, Dr Rasul said.

As part of various events for the day, a documentary was screened at Comsats Institute of Information Technology (CIIT).  The Emmy award- winning documentary on climate change, “Chasing Ice” by James Balog reveals impact of climate change by recording 7.4 cubic kilometres of ice crashing of glaciers in Greenland by conducting a ground based photographic study.

Speaking at the event, the Federal Minister for Climate Change, Mushahidullah Khan said that it was imperative for Pakistan to pursue a green economy that could put the country on the path to sustainable development.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2015.