International Earth Day: Realizing Pakistan's green imperative and achieving sustainability

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Abdul Aleem Ch

International Earth Day, celebrated every year on April 22nd, emphasizes the importance of global environmental protection. In Pakistan, a country severely affected by environmental issues, the day is highly important. Deforestation, water shortages, pollution, and climate change are survival issues that must be tackled immediately and collectively.

Pakistan is facing critical environmental issues including increasingly frequent and intensifying climate impacts. Here’s some of the key ones:

1.  Weather extremes and climate change:

Pakistan is alarmingly vulnerable to climate change. The catastrophic 2022 floods that affected more than 33 million individuals and the economy lost $30 billion (World Bank, 2022) starkly demonstrated the extreme effects of unpredictable climate trends. Increased temperatures, melting of glaciers, and unpredictable rainfall threaten agriculture, water supply, and human habitation.

2.  Air and water pollution:

Metropolitan areas such as Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad generally face unhealthy air quality, being prompted by auto emissions, industrial effluent, and agricultural burn. Lahore AQI frequently goes above 300 (IQAir, 2023), which is extremely detrimental to health. Pollution of water is also of similar significance, with an estimated 80% of the population lacking access to safe drinking water (Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, 2022).

3.  Deforestation and biodiversity loss:

Pakistan's rate of deforestation ranks among the most severe in Asia, with its forest cover contracting to as much as 4.8% (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2023). Illegal logging, urbanization, and industrialization consume wildlife habitats and pose threats to such legendary animals as the Indus River Dolphin and Snow Leopard.

Current natural disasters are a tough reality check

Recent catastrophes caused by climate change have been a harsh wake-up call. The 2022 floods caused by record monsoon rains and accelerated glacial melting submerged one-third of the country, displacing millions of people and causing immense suffering.

Increased occurrence of heatwaves, droughts, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) also enhance the vulnerability of the country. The 2023 heatwaves of over 50°C in the south and the 2022 Shisper Glacier GLOF in Gilgit-Baltistan underscore the need for climate resilience at the earliest.

Towards environmental sustainability: collective efforts are needed!

I-  Government schemes:

The Green Pakistan Program (previously the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami project) will help to undo deforestation and land degradation (Ministry of Climate Change, 2023).

Renewable energy targets aim at 30% electricity production from renewable resources by 2030 (Alternative Energy Development Board, 2023). Provincial prohibitions on single-use plastic bags assist in mitigating plastic pollution.

II-   Young people and civil society

Organizations such as WWF-Pakistan and the Pakistan Green Network spearhead initiatives that entail reforestation, environmental awareness, and campaign. Youth movements such as Fridays for Future Pakistan create awareness about climate change and push for policy changes.

III-  Corporate sector participation:

More and more private firms are adopting green practices like green packaging, solar products, and green supply chains. Multinational companies are collaborating with the indigenous people for sustainable farming and water conservation.

The way ahead: recognizing strategic priorities and implementing related solutions

One must strengthen climate policies by enacting robust regulations for industrial emissions, promoting renewable energy, and ensuring sustainable urban planning.

• Promote renewable energy: Increase the use of solar and wind energy to wean the economy off fossil fuels.

• Encouraging community participation includes enabling communities to embrace green behavior, such as organic cultivation and rainwater harvesting.

• Enhancing education and awareness necessitates the integration of environmental education into curricula to cultivate a generation of environmental stewards.

International Earth Day is a timely reminder that Pakistan's environmental challenges require collective and immediate action. Through the establishment of robust partnerships among the government, private sector, and civil society, Pakistan can establish a strong and sustainable future.