Achieving Climate Sustainability in Pakistan: Let’s Turn the Homeland into the Greenland

Achieving Climate Sustainability in Pakistan: Let’s Turn the Homeland into the Greenland

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As summer begins its gradual exit from Pakistan, the southern regions, notably, Southern Punjab, Sindh and parts of Balochistan, have weathered one of the most severe climatic episodes in recent history. This summer has not just been exceptionally hot but has showcased the extremities of climate change with record-breaking temperatures and relentless heat waves. This alarming situation has ignited serious concerns regarding the future livability of southern Pakistan, casting a shadow over its prospects in the coming years.

?? How to achieve climate sustainability? What should be the pragmatic approach to ensure climatic sustainability? ?Sustainability is concerned with protecting the planet, halting climate change and promoting social development, without endangering life on Earth or leaving anyone behind. This concept seeks to cover our present needs without compromising resources for future generations.

The author has focused upon the solution-oriented discussions with the opinion leaders’ experts and commonalties in the society. Everyone showed his/her concern about recent relentless heatwaves. The million-dollar question was how to minimize this intensity in the coming years to save our homeland for the generations to follow. One common answer to this question was, "through climatic sustainability". Rest of the article will jot down the crux of subjective discussions for achieving climate sustainability in Pakistan

?? ?Talking about the role of green vegetation for rationalizing the temperatures, at the global and regional scales, green vegetation cover has the ability to affect the climate and land surface fluxes. The terrestrial vegetation and ecosystem is changing due to climate change Vegetation is directly or indirectly connected with the energy cycle, hydrology, soil and climate because vegetation cover is an important segment of terrestrial ecosystem. For ensuring terrestrial vegetation, we have to halt the brutality of private housing sector who are transforming the vegetated land in to the concrete complexes. Unluckily the involvement of ruling forces in housing projects has irreversibly damaged the climate via up proportionate housing projects. At least we will have to ban the new housing projects for next decade to ensure maximum vegetated land.

Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is vital for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Expanding solar power installations and wind farms can reduce reliance on coal and natural gas, which are major contributors to air pollution and climate change.

?? How to ensure water management? Water scarcity is a critical issue in Pakistan, exacerbated by climate change. For effective water management we need to invest in modern irrigation techniques, such as drip and sprinkler systems, repairing and upgrading existing water infrastructure, rainwater harvesting systems are few measures to deal with water scarcity in our home land.

?? Forests play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. Pakistan has made strides in reforestation with initiatives like the "10 Billion Tree Tsunami," Engaging local communities in tree-planting activities e.g. each student plants and nurtures 5 plants in secondary schools’ tenure of 2 years should be given 20 additional marks (like previously we used to award after NCC training) can ensure the climate sustainability

?? Concluding the discussion, achieving climate sustainability is matter of now or never for our homeland because the global authorities have warned that if climate sustainability measures are ignored, the southern part of Pakistan may not remain livable in the coming years. It’s a multifaceted challenge that requires a holistic and collaborative approach. The commitment of all stakeholders i.e government, private sector, civil society, and individuals is essential for overcoming climate challenges and ensuring a resilient and prosperous future for the nation.

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By,

Mehboob Ahmad

Sr. Regional Manager Martin Dow Marker.

Ph.D. MGT (Marketing), MS-Marketing, MBA-Marketing, B. Sc. (Zoology)., AKU-MERCK-ABMTC, OSHA-Certified

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