Pakistan has consistently been ranked among the top ten most affected countries due to climate change. The recent Climate Risk Index 2020 also ranked Pakistan as the eighth most affected country from the adverse effect of climate change. Pakistan lags behind in climate change research which has been unfortunately never been a priority for policymakers despite numerous natural disasters in the past two decades which wreaked havoc in the country.
Prime Minister Imran Khan displayed leadership and started a massive reafforestation project which has received global recognition and acclaim. But with the economy shrinking and a global pandemic, Pakistan has been unable to fund risk reduction and mitigation plans recently. The financial cost is staggering as Pakistan has incurred more than Rs5 trillion in losses due to climate-induced disasters in the past decade. Therefore, it is imperative we build a comprehensive environmental policy and a preparedness plan for natural disasters.
The prime minister has launched an urban forestry project as part of the efforts against climate change. These will be made by the Japanese Miyawaki method and are much denser, self-perpetuating and maintenance-free. The government plans to plant 51 such projects in Lahore. This is a great initiative and will help a long way to avert threats to public health such as smog. Our cities have become concrete jungles and require such urban forests. The project must be expanded to other parts of the country.
Pakistan cannot control the effects of climate change since it contributes less than one percent to greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the government will have to use its limited resources on such projects. Urban forests are not a few phenomenon but are plentiful in Europe and make people healthier. Research has found that proximity to green areas leads to improved physical well-being, healthy lifestyles, and even psychological well-being. More importantly, such nature-based solutions are essential in the face of climate change.
The situation has changed significantly and Pakistan continues to see climate change as a problem and is imparting policies. This also provides new opportunities as funds for climate finance can be accessed to create a new industry and provide millions of green jobs. Pakistan must use every opportunity and emerge as an environmental leader in the world as climate change is a reality and affects us all.
