CLIMATE change has done immense damage to nature, affecting the lives of billions of people around the world. Droughts, floods, scorching heatwaves and wildfires have become regular occurrences these days. According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2021, Pakistan was among the 10 countries most affected from 2000 to 2019.

Within the country, Sindh is particularly at the receiving end of the climate change phenomenon, with Jacobabad becoming the hottest city on Earth this May as temperatures exceeded 50 degrees Celsius.

Larkana, the city where I grew up and that is sometimes referred to as the city of gardens, was also among the extremely hot places. Things have changed so fast that it almost feels like a dream when we used to travel under the shade of trees, especially eucalyptus. These trees that used to line Larkana-Naudero, Airport and Dokri roads have long been cut down in the name of development.

Several housing schemes have been launched in these areas, apparently without carrying out any adequate environmental impact assessment. There is no denying the fact that many other factors also lead to climate change, but chopping off trees is undoubtedly one of the biggest reasons as they absorb emissions that would otherwise contribute to heating the planet.

The Pakistan People’s Party, which has been at the helm in Sindh for quite a long time and now also shares the government at the Centre, must look into the matter.

Sumail Hussain
Larkana

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2022