Not so long ago, people thought climate change was a hoax. A global conspiracy concocted by powerful groups for nefarious reasons. These ideas were pervasive not only in backwards, uneducated societies, but also in developed countries.
While such ideas still persist, there is little doubt today that climate change, also known as global warming, is real. It is now a question of how bad it will get and what can be done to fight back.
Unfortunately, Pakistan, despite being one of the smallest contributors to global warming, is and will be one of the most affected regions of climate change.
We have already begun to feel the wrath of changing climatic patterns, and we are far from ready.
The Recent Floods are a Wake-Up Call
Pakistan finds itself in the eye of a climate storm, one it did little to cause. Ranking among the top 10 countries most affected by climate change, we are in a vulnerable geographical region.
As evidence of the impact of climate change, look no further than the recent spree of intense floods in July 2025. While monsoon rains were always unpredictable, they were never this severe or vicious decades ago.
Within days, agricultural lands turned into swamps, homes were washed away, infrastructure systems were destroyed beyond repair, and several lives were lost.
Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan were devastated in the wake of several flash floods. This wasn’t a one-off event, as flooding has become more severe and frequent.
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Severe floods were “once in a decade” calamities, but climate change has turned these natural disasters into unnatural annual events.
Rising temperatures have led to intense melting of glaciers in the mountains, increasing water flow into Pakistan’s rivers. Warm and moist atmospheres, fueled by climate change, have led to heavier rainfalls.
On top of these climatic changes, Pakistan’s infrastructure system is outdated, and emergency services are unequipped to deal with such disasters. Karachites can relate to this dilemma pretty well.
Furthermore, poor urban planning and deforestation have also worsened the impact of global warming, which is not limited to heavy rainfall and floods.
Heatwaves have also grown intense in Pakistan, with temperatures reaching 50 degrees in Jacobabad. The floods also create a huge domino effect as they could potentially precipitate food shortages, disease outbreaks, and water scarcity.
How can Pakistan Deal with this Ongoing Crisis?
With vulnerable infrastructure systems, poor urban planning, and ineffective implementation of climate policies, Pakistan is not ready to battle climate change.
First and foremost, there needs to be a government-backed awareness campaign. The public needs to wake up to the realities of global warming, and should be encouraged to minimise the human contribution to changing weather patterns.
Secondly, afforestation programs should be funded, and deforestation needs to be addressed with legislation. A transition to renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, should also be encouraged.
The authorities should maintain their drainage systems, and emergency services should receive better training to respond promptly to threats. Effective garbage disposal and sloping roads could help improve drainage, too.
Lastly, this issue should be addressed at the international level. The whole world is responsible for climate change, which is why there should be global accountability.
Climate change is real, and if Pakistan continues down its current route, irreparable damage and loss of life are inevitable. We need to act fast, before it’s too late.
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