OUR planet faces long-term and irreversible climatic changes and these variations are already having an unparalleled impact upon the poor, as the rich and the middle class adapt to the heat.

The poor cannot respond because they are starkly exposed due to their nature of work and owing to their limited access to fans, air conditioners and even portable water.

Recurring natural hazards like heat waves, droughts and floods have heavily impacted the people in recent years.

Climatic disasters are generally not so sudden (except for earthquakes), and provide reasonable time for the authorities to prevent large death tolls. But Pakistan lacks a proactive approach, and this needs to change if the state hopes to protect its people

The brutal and lethal heat wave in Karachi has parched the land and created a health and humanitarian crisis. This shows that the civil administration is generally not equipped to adequately address the weather-related tragedies. And while natural hazards are inevitable, the losses they incur can be averted to a greater extent.

Fortunately, climatic disasters are generally not so sudden (except for earthquakes), and provide reasonable time for the authorities to prevent large death tolls. But Pakistan lacks a proactive approach, and this needs to change if the state hopes to protect its people.

No doubt the country has limited resources, and keeping in view the state of the infrastructure, the state cannot face such gigantic and unpredicted situations alone. Yet, it should lead from the front to mitigate the detrimental effects of climate change.

The first and foremost step is the anticipation of these hazards by the authorities well before time. This can be achieved by engaging experts and analysts who have experience in these matters and who have worked at various international forums.

They can frame some policy guidelines for the future, since climatic events will continue to haunt the people with varying frequency in the years to come. The most viable seems to be a mechanism of spreading awareness among the masses. Advertisements should appear in daily newspapers and electronic media, informing people about how to avoid and mitigate severe impacts of the weather.

The next step could be to train community volunteers to help those suffering from heatstroke and other weather-related medical emergencies and provide them with first aid, as the first few hours in such cases are crucial. Then the basic needs like uninterrupted supply of electricity and water, at least during crisis hours, can minimise losses.

In reality, institutional help absorbs abnormal climatic shocks. The National Disaster Management Authority needs to adopt some innovative measures to increase its efficiency and credibility, as it has seldom risen to national expectations when required. This demands an overwhelming revamping of the institution.

The government can also revise building codes, at least in the mega cities, to promote thermal efficiency, which is supposed to make future heat waves more bearable.

These solutions are somewhat long-term in nature and require more resources, which the country may not have in the short run. At this stage, the least costly solutions seem more plausible, like helping prepare people to take care of their own safety.

The simple question is what local people can learn from other communities about surviving extreme heat waves.

A slight change in cultural habits can often do the trick, like adjusting work hours in the morning and evening to escape the hottest parts of the day; wearing clothes that minimise the exposure of body parts to the sun; use of spectacles; taking care of the elderly; drinking more water and keeping it with oneself whenever venturing away from home; and avoiding unnecessary travelling, shopping and other outdoor activities at noon.

The political parties remain inactive despite their presence at the grass-root level and prefer to be spectators, considering it the responsibility of the government to act in times of human crisis. They can form dedicated wings comprising motivated and energetic youth to help people in difficulty.

If it is done, it will benefit both the public and political groups, while putting moral pressure on the authorities to act swiftly to keep their credibility intact.

Most importantly, pre- and post-independent studies on extreme weather events should be encouraged to mark the communities at risk; the infrastructure that is required to respond; saving those who survive the heat waves; finding a way to equip local communities with knowledge; and strengthening district governments to cope with natural and man-made disasters.

Published in Dawn, Economic & Business, July 6th, 2015

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