GLOBAL WARMING AND PAKISTAN: LOCAL RESPONSE TO A GLOBAL CHALLENGE

Global warming is emerging as one of the biggest threats to earth in this century. It not only has deleterious effects on individuals’ health but could also trigger natural disasters such floods, famines, droughts and cyclones etc. Intergovernmental Panel Climate Change reported that industrial revolution mid-19th century caused a 1oC rise global temperature. further estimated by >1.10°C 6.40°C over 21st century.1 This increase temperature along with loss biodiversity may lead devastating health. Increase earth’s both short long term adverse consequences. changing physical, chemical biological processes are evident every continent. To recognize dangers warming, it’s important identify its human society environment. Sea levels rising, glaciers shrinking; record high temperatures, severe rainstorms becoming increasingly common. Changes temperatures rainfall-patterns alter behavior plants animals have significant implications humans well.2 It’s an established fact >1.5°C detrimental health.1 Data revealed mortality people above sixty five years age increased >50% past fifty because warming.3 Increased dehydration, derangements renal function, dermatological malignancies, tropical infections, mental problems pregnancy complications, allergies, pulmonary cardiovascular complications some obvious effects.4,5 Populations at extremes ages, poor communities underlying ones suffer most.1,3 A decline 1.8-5.6% production major crops observed since 1981. extreme weathers depletion soil for harvesting risk undernutrition.3 Extensive damage ecosystems, decreasing freshwater resources rising sea levels, food increases risks pandemics.2,6 Pakistan been ranked among top ten most affected countries twenty years7-9 expected wide-ranging impacts. Agricultural yield, availability water be greatly coastal erosion, incursion climatic events occur more frequently.7 Risk Index lost 0.53% per unit GDP economic losses worth US$ 3792.52million. witnessed 152 weather from 1999 2018.7,9 Similarly Asian Development Bank socioeconomic costs environmental degradation considerable climate adaptation needs ranging between $7 billion $14 year.10 In Pakistan, 0.6°C which falls within allowed limit increase. But 3°C 5°C, much higher than rest world.10 Availability access quality disturbed. Increases wheat yield losses. Studies shown arid areas would 17% case 1-2°C temperature.7 Similarly, mean annual precipitation parts country.7,10 associated number impacts, including increasing frequency (floods, droughts, heatwaves, cyclonic activity); steady regression changes rainfall patterns.7 During years, hit floods almost year 2010 2011 appeared huge history. predicted 2030 additional 1.5 million river annually result change. Infectious diseases (vector, borne) highly sensitive changes. 2021–2050 35 population malaria (with rise) Pakistan. diarrhea-related deaths children (<15 years) can 11.7%, while heat-related elderly 100% Pakistan.11 2013, 45% (<5 stunted growth underweight wasting was prevailing 31.6% 10.5%, respectively.11 Reported data 2012 showed out total (326,100) cardiac lung (18+ years), 37% were attributed household air pollution.11,12 Around 52% 68200 due acute lower respiratory infections pollution.12 Forest play role overcoming pollutions, forest country. Forests planted tree area 4.2 ha, equals 4.8% land constitutes 0.05 hectares forest/capita against world’s average 1.0 /capita. Every thousands forests destroyed activities very intense future.13 encouraging government taking measures tackle These include forestation drives country through projects like tsunami tsunami, national monsoon plantation drives. Moreover, building new dams irrigation land, preservation habitats (to quantity food) hydropower use oil, coal gas electricity. Besides public should made aware electricity eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains less meat dairy products it will results fewer greenhouse effect. Furthermore, implementation hybrid busses mass transit projects, easing import electric/hybrid vehicles installation promotion solar panels buildings steps towards achieving goal control. However, still put lot efforts preventing calamities extend produce green energy preserve nature. Public educated purchase electronics other items reuse, repair recycle already purchased reduce carbon emission. addition that, intervene redesigning transport systems; city planning; distribution items; reforms healthcare system, limiting fossil fuels alternate sources vision achieved awareness interactive partnerships government, society, professionals scientists, businessmen