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Regardless of contributing little to world fossil gasoline emissions, Pakistan stays extraordinarily susceptible to climate-related disasters. In one other blow, Himalayan glaciers are melting quicker than ever earlier than because of local weather change. The Himalayan vary that spans throughout 5 international locations is located in Kashmir Valley and Northern Pakistan, to the south and east of the Indus River. The floods final 12 months had been only a glimpse of the catastrophic destiny that awaits Pakistan.
With world warming accelerating and heatwaves changing into extra intense and frequent, Himalayan glaciers are melting a lot quicker threatening the lack of water provide to 10 of the world’s most vital river methods, together with the Ganges, Indus, Yellow, Mekong and Irrawaddy. These rivers, instantly and not directly, provide meals, power, clear air and earnings to just about 240 million individuals within the mountainous areas and river valleys. Flash floods because of unprecedented glacier melts will uproot tens of millions from their properties inside Pakistan and throughout South Asia. This may set off mass displacement in addition to an inflow of refugees aggravating social and financial challenges for the federal government.
Even when world warming is restricted to the 1.5 to 2.0 levels Celsius from pre-industrial ranges agreed to within the Paris local weather treaty, the glaciers are anticipated to lose a 3rd to a half of their quantity by 2100. This accentuates the necessity for higher preparedness in susceptible international locations and communities. Pakistan, notably, isn’t geared up to cope with rising local weather challenges and requires concerted and complete world assist. The worldwide neighborhood should rise to the duty of not simply enhancing predictions, but additionally compensating the poorest, most susceptible international locations. Political leaders and stakeholders inside Pakistan can now not downplay the gravity of the scenario and should amplify local weather change response and preparedness.
Revealed in The Categorical Tribune, June 23rd, 2023.
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