KARACHI: Speakers at a seminar held to discuss the challenges Pakistan faces on account of fast growing population amidst rapidly changing weather patterns called upon the government to impose ‘climate emergency’ in the country to protect people’s lives and livelihoods.

The seminar was jointly organised by Karachi Press Club’s Skills Development Committee and Global Awareness and Empowerment Network.

Sharing their concerns over the extreme weather patterns the country has been experiencing in recent years, resulting in devastating losses, the speakers said the situation had aggravated on account of exponential population growth.

“Global temperature has risen by 1.5 degrees Celsius in 150 years and it’s feared that the temperature will further increase,” Chief Meteorologist Dr Sardar Sarfaraz said, adding that the fast warming world had drastically disturbed the seasonal weather systems, expediting melting of glaciers and raising sea level.

Speaking about Pakistan, he said one of the major reasons behind excessive heat in the country was extensively depleted green cover.

“Pakistan was among the top eight countries highly vulnerable to climate change in 2019-2000 due to its high growth rate. But, if we collect the last four years’ data on the climate devastation the country has suffered, it would rank among the top four countries that have been affected the most by changing weather,” he said.

Dr Sarfaraz also expressed concern over the country’s poor air quality and extensive release of greenhouse gases, while underscoring the need for short and long term measures that could address those problems.

Yasir Hussain of Climate Action Centre said the absence of any corrective measures could worsen the situation, particularly in Karachi that’s feared to experience more excessive heat in coming years.

He stressed the need to stop using coal as a source of energy, while highlighting its adverse impact on the environment.

The city of Karachi, he said, desperately needed measures to protect the existing green spaces and grow more trees that could serve as a natural barrier to extreme weather events.

The speakers urged the government to join hands with all stakeholders to address the emergency of climate change, ensure food security and protect people’s lives and livelihoods.

They also spoke about how a positive change in individual and societal mindset could help contribute in bringing a significant change in the environment.

The speakers included Shoaib Ahmed and Saqib Sagheer representing the KPC, director social welfare department Saeeda Sheikh, social activist Mehnaz Rehman and senior environmentalist Naeem Quraishi.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2024