Understanding Climate Change: A Threat to Our Future.

Understanding Climate Change: A Threat to Our Future.
  • March 14, 2024
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South Asia is particularly vulnerable. 1/5 of the world's population lives in South Asia, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The world's "climate-vulnerable" region is extremely polarised and undeveloped. Major socio-economic and political challenges in several regional countries hinder understanding and preparing for climate change, the most pressing concern. State and social mismanagement and resource shortages worsen security, poverty, and food problems.

Due to its high population, diverse geography, and poor government, South Asia is more vulnerable to climate change than other regions. South Asian nations have poor political systems, shaky economies, and low socioeconomic awareness. However, climate change has greatly altered South Asian internal dynamics and exacerbated food and security issues. Climate change is a non-traditional security problem that requires government and public attention.

South Asia is mostly agrarian and relies on agriculture. Climate change has greatly reduced food quality and quantity, worsening food security concerns. Climate change puts water sources, which are crucial to agriculture, in danger. Summers are longer and more intense due to rising temperatures, which melt glaciers and flood agricultural areas. Altered rainfall patterns, including unexpected and heavy precipitation, threaten livelihoods. Monsoon season shifts bring heavy rainfall to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India, worsening floods and killing many people and animals, especially in vulnerable populations.

The worldwide environment has changed; thus, experts recommend 33 years of temperature and rainfall records to analyse and anticipate climate change in each location. Pakistan is especially vulnerable to climate change in South Asia. The country also lacks a strong food policy. Pakistan, as an agrarian nation, has long neglected agriculture. Thus, food production cannot feed the rising population. According to the PBS, 61% of the population is severely food insecure.

Climate change affects all nations, developing and developed. It also threatens developing nations. South Asian countries are crowded and unaware of climate change, yet Pakistan took action to control the existential climatic threat to its people. Pakistan launched its first food security policy in 2018 to end poverty and hunger and promote sustainable food production. Natural disasters and mismanagement waste a lot of food crops and products each year, increasing economic and social risks. To solve these issues, a good policy is needed. Stakeholders should prioritise climate change as an economic security concern.

Climate change is a non-traditional security concern that has greatly impacted Pakistan's security, economy, and society. Pakistan's glaciers are melting due to rising temperatures. Climate uncertainty has prompted widespread migration, food insecurity, poverty, drought, and water scarcity. Pakistan seeks worldwide cooperation and engagement with multilateral governments like the COP and UN since it lacks resources. As the country's climate becomes more erratic, Balochistan, Sindh, KP, and Punjab experience disastrous flooding. Climate change is expected to continue. The recent unexpected torrential rain damaged Gwadar, Balochistan, the doorway to Pakistan's prosperity and progress.

The 2010 floods questioned national disaster management governance and inability. The Environmental Ministry of Pakistan introduced the first National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) in 2012, which began in February 2013 under the Pakistan People's Party government with UNDP support. It included 120 recommendations, including energy, agriculture, and transport improvements. It protected the environment and improved the inhabitants' lives. More rains are forecast this summer, causing significant devastation throughout Pakistan. Preparation by the government and policymakers can decrease the impact of the 2010–2022 storms, which caused billions of dollars in economic damage and killed hundreds of Pakistanis.

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