Climate change is a very serious problem in many countries, including Pakistan, with dire impacts on environmental conditions and weather patterns. Pakistan is ranked as the 5th most vulnerable country to the impacts of climate change. The flood in 2022, which affected many regions of the country, is a prime example of Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change. The increase in summer temperatures over the last few years is an effect of climate change in the region. It has also been reported that the northern glaciers have been melting unusually due to the hot climate in the region over the last few years.

Climate change has greatly affected our agricultural sector and horticulture, which eventually impacts the industrial sector as well. In the recent past, it has been evident that climate change has prompted floods in Pakistan, greatly impacting the agriculture sector in Sindh, Baluchistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Cotton, one of the country’s best exports, was destroyed due to the floods in Sindh and Baluchistan. Not only were the cotton crops impacted, but also the rice crops were destroyed in many parts of the country.

In recent floods in Baluchistan, apple, grape, and cherry orchards, valued in millions, were destroyed. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, floods submerged infrastructure and agricultural lands along the Swat and Indus rivers. These events occurred due to climate change in the region, which resulted in a very high volume of rain in many parts of the country. All these catastrophes have greatly disadvantaged our economy and export volume.

Pakistan lost a significant volume of cotton and rice trade in international and national markets in 2022, which impacted net tax collection and foreign reserves of the country. Recent floods and heatwaves caused about 1,700 deaths, displaced about 8 million people, and resulted in more than $30 billion in damages and economic losses. In addition, many industries stopped operating due to the lack of raw materials for industrial processes, which indirectly led to unemployment and poverty. The World Bank estimates that extreme climate-related events and environmental degradation could reduce Pakistan’s GDP by 18-20% by 2050.

To address this catastrophic challenge, the government and people must join hands and involve the international community to design and implement intelligent strategies such as transforming the agri-food system, energy consumption resources, and carbon presence. Furthermore, we must promote smart agricultural, industrial, and transportation strategies that can slow down the rapid change in the climate.

The population in the country’s cities is increasing, which increases consumption and accelerates climate change; therefore, a smart cities strategy must be introduced on a priority basis. The government must take steps to eliminate carbon emissions and their sources. Environmentally friendly energy resources must be introduced to replace the burning of wood, natural gas, coal, and petroleum.

Above all these strategies, plantation is crucial; therefore, the government and people must plant more trees to reduce the amount of carbon in the country. People must join plantation campaigns, raise funds for plantation, and plant trees themselves as well