ACROSS the world global warming and climate change issues are being discussed and strategies being made on a war-footing to deal with global warming and climate change phenomena.

Developed countries are taking stringent measures to reduce green house gases, the main cause of global warming. Pakistan is far behind in this regard.

Though there is a ministry of climate change, no public awareness campaigns and practical measures have been taken to date. The mere holding of seminars and conferences will not bring any change concrete action is needed.

Pakistan’s forest cover stands at a dismal three per cent which is further shrinking because the timber mafia is fast felling whatever trees remain. To make matters worse, around 70 per cent of the rural population in Pakistan uses wood as fuel for cooking which plays a major role in producing green house gases.

Strategies that are vital to increase forest cover include planting more trees energy-conservation policies and popularising the use of solar technology.

The country should have more mass transit systems. All domestic consumers’ electricity needs should be met through solar energy. We have to enhance solar power usage in Pakistan.

Rehmat Ali

Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2018