World Environment Day 2025: Pakistan at a crossroads

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Dr. Mahjabeen

"We won’t have a society if we destroy the environment." – Margaret Mead

As Pakistan joins the global community to observe World Environment Day on June 5, the stakes for our nation could not be higher. From Lahore’s toxic smog to shrinking forests in Gilgit-Baltistan, environmental degradation is not just a distant concern. It is a daily reality that is harming health, livelihoods, and future generations.

A nation under environmental stress

Pakistan ranks among the top ten countries with the worst air quality. In major cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Faisalabad, levels of fine particulate matter regularly exceed the World Health Organization’s safe limits many times over. Emissions from vehicles, unchecked industrial smoke, and the burning of fossil fuels are major culprits. The consequences are visible and severe. Cases of asthma, chronic lung disease, heart conditions, and thousands of premature deaths are increasing every year.

Water is another pressing crisis. More than 80 percent of Pakistan’s population lacks access to clean drinking water. Contamination from untreated sewage, pesticides, and industrial runoff makes waterborne diseases like cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid tragically common, especially among children under five. In rural Sindh and Balochistan, entire communities often rely on distant wells or unsafe surface water.

Climate change adds to these burdens. Rising temperatures, erratic monsoon rains, glacial melt, and devastating floods have displaced millions in recent years. In 2022 alone, historic floods inundated one-third of the country. While recovery efforts continue, many remain vulnerable to future climate shocks.

Meanwhile, forests are vanishing. Pakistan loses an estimated 27,000 hectares of tree cover each year. Deforestation driven by timber demand, agriculture, and urban sprawl is rapidly eroding biodiversity, destabilizing soil, and reducing our ability to absorb carbon. This leaves us more exposed to extreme weather and food insecurity.

The human toll

Environmental degradation is not just about ecosystems. It is a public health emergency. Respiratory infections, heart disease, and heatstroke are rising across both urban and rural areas. Mental health issues are also emerging in people affected by environmental trauma. Displacement due to floods or prolonged exposure to heatwaves can result in anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.

Children, the elderly, and outdoor laborers are especially at risk. Yet even urban middle-class families cannot escape the consequences. Summer temperatures now often exceed 48 degrees Celsius in many areas, making heatwaves a deadly new normal.

What must be done

Change must happen on several levels. Individuals can adopt small but meaningful habits: using less plastic, saving electricity, supporting local food, and conserving water. Communities can organize tree plantations, clean-ups, and education drives. A powerful example is the Miyawaki forest initiative in Lahore, which transformed barren spaces into green sanctuaries with community participation.

Governments have a crucial role. Environmental laws need to be enforced with clear penalties. Cities must be redesigned to include green spaces, clean public transport, and efficient waste systems. Renewable energy subsidies and a national Environmental Emergency Fund should be prioritized.

Above all, education is key. Climate literacy must be introduced in school curriculums. Teachers should be trained to guide young minds toward sustainability. Media campaigns can promote awareness while encouraging behavior change at the household level.

Spotlight: Urban and rural realities

Urban Pakistan faces specific challenges. Congested roads, unchecked construction, and poor sanitation have created heat islands that worsen climate effects. Drainage systems are overwhelmed, air is toxic, and green cover is shrinking. Without investment in urban green infrastructure and resilient design, these problems will only grow.

In rural areas, different but equally serious problems exist. Water sources are polluted by pesticides and animal waste. Chemical fertilizers poison aquifers and rivers. Yet, rural communities also hold the key to change. They possess traditional knowledge about natural farming, water conservation, and eco-balance. These solutions must be integrated into modern development strategies.

Youth in action

Pakistan’s youth are rising to the challenge. Students are organizing tree plantations, leading climate marches, and cleaning beaches. Youth-led startups in eco-tourism and organic farming are gaining ground. Their creativity and passion must be supported through climate innovation grants, youth councils, and inclusion in policy-making forums.

A national turning point

Pakistan stands at a turning point. If we continue to ignore the damage, we will face irreversible losses. But if we act now—through policy, education, and civic participation—we can build a healthier, safer, and more resilient country.

World Environment Day is not just about celebration. It is a reminder of what we must protect and what we must change. The future is still ours to shape.

Let 2025 be remembered as the year Pakistan moved from awareness to effective action.