Ways to save the world

Global warming poses a serious threat to the country’s economy and ecology. Pakistan cannot do much to reduce the causes of global warming but measures can be adapted to reduce at least its serious impacts on our economy and ecology. In recent years, the country has witnessed the vagaries of climate change with growing regularity and destructive ferocity. Droughts, desertification, glacial melt, sea level rise and recurrent floods are all manifestations of climate induced phenomena. Long-term impacts of climate change are expected to threaten our biodiversity, water availability, food security, human health and overall well-being of the masses. Pakistan being an agricultural-based economy lying in arid and semi-arid region with heavy dependence on irrigated agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate change.

However, the government of Pakistan is fully committed to cope with the negative fallout of climate change. Blueprint for a future-oriented and growth-centric roadmap for the country clearly recognises global warming and climate change as priority areas for effective action by the government. Several mitigation initiatives, including the promotion of renewable technology’s measures towards energy efficiency, implementation of mass transport system and expansion of hydroelectricity potential are already part of our development strategy. The National Climate Change Policy will serve to integrate climate-friendly policies in our national economy and development planning.

Khan Faraz

Peshawar