THIS is apropos the grim findings by the Asian Development Bank on Asian climate (July 14). The report warns against the severe climate change in Asia and predicts that a rise of about 6 degrees Celsius to 8 degrees Celsius in average Asian temperature would give a sea level rise to 1.4m height at the end of this century.

While such warnings of the global rise in temperature are continuously being made with their aftermaths, our government seems to be sleeping. Our understanding and alertness of environmental hazards can be guaged by the very fact that the issue of environmental threats has never been a part of our political debate and our opinions have been devoid of this crucial topic in most newspapers.

Are we waiting for another heat wave to choke us, drought to dry us, raised sea level to engulf us, and smog to suffocate us for making an environment-friendly policy and addressing this existentialist threat?

Engr. Fahad Lakhwera

Multan

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2017