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climate change

Pakistan’s Environmental Crisis A Nation on the Edge of Ecological Collapse

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By Tayyab jajjvi | October 10, 2025

Pakistan stands at a dangerous intersection where rapid urbanization, poor governance, and global climate shifts are colliding to create a full-blown environmental crisis. From Karachi’s choking air to Sindh’s vanishing water, the country is in ecological freefall that threatens its economy, food security, and human survival.

Climate Change: A Global Threat with Local Disasters

According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2023 (Germanwatch), Pakistan is among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, despite contributing less than 1% to global emissions.

The 2022 floods, which submerged one-third of the nation and displaced over 33 million people, revealed the sheer scale of this threat.

In northern Pakistan, glaciers are melting faster than ever, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (2024) — causing dangerous Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). Meanwhile, the southern regions face prolonged droughts and saline intrusion from rising seas. Pakistan is now trapped between both extremes — too much water and too little.

Air Pollution: Breathing Becomes a Privilege

Pakistan’s largest cities — Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad — are consistently among the world’s top 10 most polluted (Source: IQAir 2024 World Air Quality Report).

Smog has become a seasonal epidemic, forcing school closures and causing widespread respiratory illness. The WHO (2023) estimates 135,000 premature deaths annually in Pakistan from air pollution-related diseases.

Vehicular emissions, industrial discharge, garbage burning, and deforestation are the leading causes — yet the country still lacks a National Clean Air Policy with enforceable standards.

Water Scarcity: When the Taps Run Dry

Pakistan’s water availability has fallen from 5,600 cubic meters per person in 1947 to under 900 cubic meters in 2024 (PCRWR Report).

Over-extraction of groundwater, climate-driven droughts, and mismanagement of irrigation systems have pushed the country into a severe water crisis.

In Sindh, groundwater is turning saline, while Karachi’s residents rely on illegal hydrants for daily use. The World Bank (2024) warns that water scarcity could trigger migration, unemployment, and social unrest in the coming decade.

Heatwaves and Urban Mismanagement

In May 2024, Jacobabad hit 52°C, making it one of the hottest cities on Earth. The Pakistan Meteorological Department attributes this to deforestation and urban “heat islands” caused by excessive concrete, steel, and lack of green cover.

Cities like Karachi suffer from poor planning, plastic burning, and the absence of urban forests. As temperatures rise, so do energy demands, health emergencies, and mortality rates.

Agriculture: The Collapsing Backbone

Agriculture provides livelihoods for 40% of Pakistan’s population — but it’s collapsing under climate pressure. Erratic monsoons and groundwater depletion are cutting yields and threatening food security.

A World Bank Climate Report (2024) estimates that unchecked environmental degradation could cost Pakistan up to 9% of GDP annually by 2050. That’s not just a climate issue — it’s an economic emergency.

Policy Gaps and The Way Forward

Despite policies like the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami and the National Climate Change Policy 2021, Pakistan’s environmental response remains fragmented and weakly enforced.

To reverse course, Pakistan must:

  • Establish independent environmental tribunals for accountability.
  • Reform urban planning to include green spaces and sustainable transport.
  • Modernize water management and pricing systems.
  • Expand renewable energy projects in Sindh and Balochistan.
  • Launch community education programs to shift behavior toward sustainability.

The Time to Act Was Yesterday

Pakistan’s environmental collapse isn’t inevitable — but time is running out. Climate change, pollution, and resource depletion are converging into a national security threat.

Environmental protection must no longer be treated as a secondary issue; it’s central to Pakistan’s survival. The future will belong to nations that protect their people by protecting their planet.

The writer is a journalist. He tweets at @tayyabjajjvi and can be reached at: tayyabjajjvi@gmail.com

Originally published in www.futuresoch.pk

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Karachi Is Sinking: Rising Seas and Vanishing Shores

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Flooded coastal homes in Karachi after sea intrusion.

Karachi’s 70 km coastline faces a growing threat from rising sea levels.
A MDPI study (2023) recorded Karachi’s relative sea level rising 1.9 millimeters per year since 1916.
The Institute for Strategic Studies Pakistan (ISSP) (June 16, 2025) confirmed further acceleration linked to global warming.

Coastal Erosion and Flooding

According to Dawn News (May 2020), over 3.1 million acres of agricultural land in Badin, Thatta, and Sujawal have already been submerged or rendered infertile by seawater intrusion.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF Pakistan) reports that Sindh has lost more than 50% of its mangroves over the past 50 years — removing the natural buffer that once protected Karachi from tidal surges.

Communities in Crisis

Fishing villages like Ibrahim Hyderi and Keti Bunder are being forced to relocate as saline water destroys homes and farmland. Sea intrusion has advanced 67 km inland, forcing mass migration (Dawn News, 2020).

Economic Risks

Karachi Port and nearby industries are at serious risk of flooding, threatening billions in infrastructure and trade. Coastal erosion also endangers DHA’s waterfront zones and Clifton areas.

Solutions

  • Replant mangroves along the Sindh coastline.
  • Ban sand mining and control development in high-risk zones.
  • Build sea walls and climate-resilient infrastructure.
  • Integrate coastal climate risk into city planning.

Conclusion

As ISSP warned (2025), Karachi’s rising sea levels are a long-term economic and humanitarian risk. Without urgent restoration of natural defenses and smarter coastal policy, Pakistan’s largest city could face irreversible damage.

How Climate Change Is Reshaping Life in Pakistan

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Melting glaciers in northern Pakistan due to rising temperatures.

Pakistan ranks among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. From melting glaciers to declining crop yields, climate change has begun to reshape every sector of the country’s economy and ecology.

Impact on Agriculture

Agriculture employs around 40% of Pakistan’s workforce, but rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall are devastating crops.
According to The Agri Economist (2023), Sindh’s mango production dropped from 1.8 million metric tons to 1.44 million metric tons — a 20% decline due to heat stress and untimely rains.
Similarly, a CIMMYT report projects that wheat yields in Pakistan could fall by 16% by 2050 if current climate trends continue.

Glacier Melt and Water Challenges

Pakistan hosts more than 13,000 glaciers, covering around 13,547 sq km, according to Al Jazeera (Aug 28, 2025). These glaciers are melting 65% faster than they did between 2001 and 2010, severely affecting river flows.
The Express Tribune reported in May 2024 that extreme inflows in the Indus and Jhelum rivers — caused by glacier melt and erratic monsoons — led to widespread flooding.

Per capita water availability has now dropped below 900 cubic meters, compared to 5,600 in 1947, making Pakistan officially a water-scarce country (Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, 2024).

Urban Life at Risk

Cities like Karachi and Lahore face record heatwaves and flooding. In 2024, Karachi recorded temperatures above 45°C, resulting in heat-related hospitalizations. Meanwhile, smog levels in Punjab reached historic highs.

Conclusion

As per the Pakistan Meteorological Department, without immediate adaptation — from sustainable farming to urban greening — Pakistan’s social and economic stability will remain under threat.

Climate Change Challenge: Causes, Effects & Solutions Explained

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Flooded farmland showing climate change effects.

Learn the causes, effects, and solutions of climate change. Discover how global warming impacts our world and what we can do to fight it.

What Is Climate Change?

Climate change is the greatest global issue of our time. Driven largely by human activity, it is reshaping weather patterns, melting glaciers, raising sea levels, and threatening health, food, and economies. Understanding the causes of climate change, its far-reaching effects, and practical solutions is critical for every individual and nation

Urban flooding caused by extreme weather and climate change.

Causes of Climate Change

The main causes of climate change can be traced to human activity:

  1. Energy production – Power plants burning coal, oil, and natural gas remain the largest contributors to global emissions.
  2. Transportation – Cars, trucks, ships, and airplanes release significant amounts of CO₂ and other pollutants.
  3. Deforestation – Cutting down forests for agriculture or urbanization reduces the Earth’s ability to absorb CO₂.
  4. Industrial activity – Manufacturing processes, cement production, and mining add large amounts of GHGs.
  5. Agriculture – Livestock farming produces methane, while the use of fertilizers releases nitrous oxide.

These activities are fueling the warming of our planet, causing a ripple effect across ecosystems, weather, and human life.

Effects of Climate Change

The effects of climate change are visible across the globe and impact every aspect of our lives:

  • Rising global temperatures – The last decade has been the hottest on record.
  • Melting ice caps and glaciers – Leading to rising sea levels and threatening coastal cities.
  • Extreme weather events – More frequent hurricanes, floods, droughts, and wildfires.
  • Loss of biodiversity – Animals and plants face extinction due to habitat destruction.
  • Food insecurity – Changing rainfall patterns affect crops, leading to shortages and higher prices.
  • Health risks – Air pollution, heatwaves, and waterborne diseases increase human health challenges.

If left unchecked, climate change could push millions into poverty, create climate refugees, and disrupt economies globally.

Solutions to Climate Change

The good news is that solutions to climate change exist, but they require urgent global action:

  1. Shift to renewable energy – Investing in solar, wind, and hydropower can cut reliance on fossil fuels.
  2. Energy efficiency – Using energy-saving appliances and improving building designs reduce overall consumption.
  3. Reforestation – Planting trees and protecting forests can absorb large amounts of CO₂.
  4. Sustainable transport – Promoting electric vehicles, cycling, and public transport reduces emissions.
  5. Green agriculture – Organic farming, reducing food waste, and sustainable livestock management help lower methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
  6. Policy and awareness – Strong climate policies, international agreements like the Paris Accord, and educating communities are essential for long-term change.

Why Taking Action Matters

Every individual, organization, and government has a role to play in combating climate change. From switching to clean energy and reducing waste to supporting eco-friendly businesses and demanding stronger policies, collective action can create a sustainable future.

Conclusion

Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is a present reality. By addressing the causes of climate change, mitigating its effects, and implementing innovative solutions, we can protect our planet for future generations. The time to act is now—because the choices we make today will decide the world we live in tomorrow.