The severe effects of climate change can be increasingly felt around the world today. The rise in sea levels, the melting of glaciers, global warming, and the rise in the number of extreme weather events are consequently affecting human health, food production, and water availability – and more.

Pakistan’s vulnerabilities to the effects of climate change are well-known. With a population of nearly 240 million, Pakistan contributes less than one per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, but the country is still ranked as the fifth most vulnerable state to the climate crisis by the Global Climate Risk Index.

Today there is an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as floods, torrential rainstorms, cyclones, droughts, and exceptionally high temperatures. Pakistan has seen yearly floods of varying sizes since 2010, which have caused considerable infrastructural damages and claimed a significant number of lives. The megafloods of 2022 displaced over 33 million people in Pakistan, inflicted direct losses of more than $14.9 billion and skewed the GDP of the country up to $15.2 billion.

To mitigate the climate risks associated with climate change, Pakistan must make a gradual shift........

© The News International