Climate change increases frequency of extreme weather events

Islamabad

The climate change has caused considerable increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, coupled with erratic monsoon rains causing frequent and intense floods and droughts in the country.

According to an official report compiled by the ministry of climate change, rising temperatures resulted in enhanced heat and water-stressed conditions, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, leading to reduced agricultural productivity.

It pointed out that there are threats to coastal areas due to projected sea level rise and increased cyclonic activity due to higher sea surface temperatures besides having stress between upper riparian and lower riparian regions in relation to sharing of water resources.

The report said Pakistan makes a tiny contribution to total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (among the lowest in the world) but it is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, and it has very low technical and financial capacity to adapt to its adverse impacts.

It said while Pakistan is working on a strategy that seeks to conserve energy, improve energy efficiency and optimize fuel mix to support global efforts for reduction in GHG emissions, the more immediate and pressing task is to prepare itself for adaptation to the climate change.