Greatest threat
July 9, 2021
Climate change is the greatest threat to our planet. Unregulated human activities have had devastating effects on the planet. Today, we have reached the point where the amount of greenhouse gasses in the air is more than what it ever was in three million years. These greenhouse gasses increase the temperature of our environment, resulting in rapid glacier melting all over the world. Pakistan is also witnessing climate change-induced destruction and devastation. Even though it contributes less than one percent of the world’s greenhouse gases, it is most likely to be affected by global warming. Southern Pakistan, especially Sindh, has been facing heatwaves for many years. Floods have not only displaced about 20 million people and their properties but also affected the Indus River basin by heavy monsoon rains. Coastal areas of Karachi, Badin and Thatta have also been threatened because of rising sea levels. The major sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Pakistan are the energy and agriculture sectors. In Pakistan, various initiatives like the Clean and Green Pakistan and Billion Tree Tsunami programmes and the Mangroves for the Future (MFF) program are underway to deal with deforestation to promote sustainable forest management across the country.