Question - 1: What is climate change and how is it impacting the

region where Pakistan is located?

Climate change is an enormous challenge facing humankind
today. Undoubtedly, it is the single largest environmental threat
facing the planet, and we need to act fast to mitigate it. There is much
that need to be done and much that can be done to halt the
catastrophic impacts of climate change.
Climate change:
Climate change is a change in the average weather of a given area or
region. This includes temperature, wind patterns, and
precipitation. Climate Change is natural phenomenon and has been
occurring since the earth came into being. The Climate of a given
place is the average weather experienced in that place over a period of
time. Climate is the average weather of a region or area over a period
of time.
Various elements of climate :
 rainfall
 temperature
 humidity
 Air pressure
 winds
 clouds
 sunshine

Climate Change is natural phenomenon and has been occurring since

the earth came into being. This change is referred to in a global sense
and concerns the earth as a whole. The Earth's Climate in the Past
Some natural factors that have changed the Earth's climate in the past
Changes in the Earth’s orbit Changes in the sun’s energy
Photosynthesis Volcanic Eruptions .

Causes of Climate Change :

 Anthropogenic Chemical Fertilizers
 Deforestation Increase
 Vehicles Emissions of GHG Industries
 Emission of CO2
 Natural Sunspot solar cycle
 Ocean Currents
 Forest Fire
 Volcanic Eruptions
 Meteorites Methane emissions from animals

Effect of Climate Change :

 On Weather
 On Ecosystem
 On Wild Life
 On Forests
 Sea level rise
 On Marine Organisms
 On Agriculture
 On Glaciers & Icesheet
 On Economy

Effect of Climate Change on Other Things :

 Extinction of Species
 On Acidification of Ocean
 On Health
 On Ocean temperature
 On Water resources
 On Natural Disasters

Climate Change Impacting the Region where is Pakistan

Located :
Pakistan is situated in South East Asia. The country is listed in the
third world countries. Pakistan consists of four provinces namely
Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa
Pakistan is bordered by India to the east, Afghanistan the west and
Iran to the southwest while China borders the country in the northeast.
The geography of Pakistan is a profound blend of landscapes varying
from plains to deserts, forests, hills and plateaus and ranging from
coastal areas of the Arabian Sea in the south to the mountains of the
Karakoram range in the north. Climate Pakistan lies in the subtropical
arid zone and most of the country is subjected to a semi-arid climate.
Based on physiographic factors and causes of diversity in climate, the
country has been classified into four major climatic regions.

Effects of Global Warming on Climate of Pakistan :

 Global Warming Increased Precipitation.
 Uneven Distribution Melting of Glaciers and Snow Sea level
Rise.
 Increase in Frequency and Intensity of Extreme Weather Events.
 Impacts Uncertainty in Water Availability.
 Decrease in Crop Yields.
 Loss of Biodiversity.
 Increased Health Risks.
 Natural Climate Variability.
 Climate Change Natural and Anthropogenic.
 Spiraling Population High pace of Industrialization.
 Increasing use of Fossil Fuels in Industry and Transport.
 Deforestation for Agriculture and Urbanization.

Although Pakistan itself contributes very little to the overall emissions

of the Greenhouse Gases, yet it remains one of the most severely hit
countries of the world by the process of Global warming.

Rising Temperatures in Pakistan :

As an ill effect of global warming, the annual mean surface
temperatures in Pakistan have been steadily increasing during the past
decade. A rise in mean temperature in the coastal areas along with a
increase in solar radiation over southern half of country has been
observed. In central Pakistan, a decrease in cloud cover with
increasing hours of sunshine have also been respons ible for
increasing the temperatures.

Recent Climatic Catastrophes In Pakistan :

Pakistan ranks 16th on the Climate Change Vulnerability Index,
jumping up 13 positions in one year. Climate changes are costing the
economy billions a year, which is almost 5% of the GDP. According
to the Asian Development Bank, more than 10 million people have
been displaced in Pakistan over the last 2 years due to climate related
disasters.

Water Resources In Pakistan :

Pakistan is an agricultural country. Therefore water is an essential
resource for sustained economic growth as well as human
survival. Water, which is one of the most important national resource
is increasingly becoming a scarce natural resource.
Our Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) is the world’s largest
contiguous irrigation system. It comprised three large dams, 85 small
dams, 19 barrages, 12 inter-river link canals and 45 canal commands.
This irrigation network is the biggest infrastructure asset of Pakistan
worth billions of investment.

Climate Change Effect On Water :

Water resources are inextricably linked with climate,hence, the
projected climate change has serious implications for Pakistan’s water
resources. The freshwater resources in Pakistan are mainly based on
snow and glacier melt and monsoon rains, both being highly sensitive
to climate change. Fortunately Pakistan has a large useable
groundwater aquifer, God gifted natural reservoir, which is largely
recharged from the surface flows and rains. This resource is being
exploited heavily and particularly in some hyper-arid areas to the
extent of criminality. Pakistan has moved from a water affluent
country to water stressed country.
Impacts of Climate Change On Pakistan :
 Pakistan’s projected temperature increase is expected to be higher
than the global average.
 Projected temperature increase in northern parts is expected to be
higher than the southern parts of the country.
 The frequency of hot days and hot nights is expected to increase
significantly.
 Pakistan’s rainfall projections do not indicate any systematic
changing trends.
 An increasing trend in the rainfall over the Upper Indus Basin and
decreasing trend in the Lower Indus Basin.
 Major crop yields such as of wheat and rice are expected to
decrease significantly.

Economic Impacts :
 Loss of Income or Assets.
 Reduction of goods and services.
 Financial strain for Government and People.
 Impacts on provision of health services.

Question - 2: Over-population is a concerning issue that Pakistan

is facing. How does overpopulation occurs and why is it
considered harmful for a society?

Overpopulation:
The condition of being populated with excessively large numbers. Or
The condition of having a population so dense as to cause
environmental deterioration, an impaired quality of life, or a
population crash. Overpopulation is an undesirable condition where
the number of the existing human population exceeds the actual
carrying capacity of Earth. Overpopulation is caused by a number of
factors. Reduced mortality rate, better medical facilities, depletion of
precious resources are few of the causes which result in
overpopulation. It is possible for a sparsely populated area to become
densely populated if it is not able to sustain life.

Overpopulation Harmful for a Society :

Most developing nations have a large number of people who are
illiterate, live below the poverty line, and have little or no knowledge
about family planning. Besides, getting their children married at an
early age increases the chances of producing more kids. Those people
are unable to understand the harmful effects of overpopulation, and
lack of quality education prompts them to avoid family planning
measures. Poverty is the biggest hallmark we see when talking about
overpopulation.All of this will only become worse if solutions are not
sought out for the factors affecting our population. We can no longer
prevent it, but there are ways to control it.

Fatal Effects of Overpopulation on Society :

Depletion of Natural Resources :
The effects of overpopulation are quite severe. The first of these is the
depletion of resources. The Earth can only produce a limited amount
of water and food, which is falling short of the current needs. Most of
the environmental damage seen in the last fifty-odd years is because
of the growing number of people on the planet. They include cutting
down forests, hunting wildlife in a reckless manner, causing pollution,
and creating a host of other problems. Those engaged in talks about
overpopulation have noticed that acts of violence and aggression
outside of a war zone have increased tremendously while competing
for resources.

Degradation of Environment :
With the overuse of coal, oil, and natural gas, it has started producing
some serious effects on our environment. Besides, the exponential rise
in the number of vehicles and industries has badly affected the quality
of air. The rise in the amount of CO2 emissions leads to global
warming. Melting of polar ice caps, changing climate patterns, rise in
sea levels are a few of the consequences that we might have to face
due to environmental pollution.
Conflicts and Wars :
Overpopulation in developing countries puts a major strain on the
resources it should be utilizing for development. Conflicts over water
are becoming a source of tension between countries, which could
result in wars. It causes more diseases to spread and makes them
harder to control.
Rise in Unemployment :
When a country becomes overpopulated, it gives rise to
unemployment as there are fewer jobs to support a large number of
people. The rise in unemployment gives rise to crime, such as theft, as
people want to feed their families and provide them basic amenities of
life.
High Cost of Living :
As the difference between demand and supply continues to expand
due to overpopulation, it raises the prices of various essential
commodities, including food, shelter, and healthcare. This means that
people have to pay more to survive and feed their families.
Pandemics and Epidemics :
Poverty is linked to many environmental and social reasons, including
overcrowded and unhygienic living conditions, malnutrition and
inaccessible, inadequate, or non-existent health care, for which the
poor are more likely to be exposed to infectious diseases. Further,
high densities of population increase the chance of the emergence of
new pandemics and epidemics.
Malnutrition, Starvation and Famine :
When the availability of resources is scarce, starvation, malnutrition,
along with ill health and diseases caused by diet-deficiency such as
rickets become more likely. Famine is typically associated with less-
developed regions, and there is a high correlation with poverty levels.
Starvation is a huge issue that the world is facing, and the mortality
rate for children is being fueled by it.
Water Shortage :
Roughly 1 % of world water is fresh and accessible. Overpopulation
is a major issue that creates immense pressure on the world’s
freshwater supplies.
Lower Life Expectancy :
A large proportion of the world’s population growth occurs in less
developed countries. Therefore, lower life expectancy caused by the
booms in population is experienced by less-developed nations. This
causes a shortage of resources in these countries resulting in less
access to medical care, freshwater, food and jobs, and ultimately in a
sharp.
Extinction :
The impact of overpopulation on the world’s wildlife is severe. As
demand for land grows, the destruction of natural habitats, such as
forests, becomes common.
Effects :

 Socio-economic Threat.
 Pressure on existing resources.
 Resulting in jobless youth.
 hopelessness & unrest family distress.
 Reduced output.
 Reduced income & capacity to savings.

It is only logical that an increase in the world’s population will cause

additional strains on resources. More people means an increased
demand for food, water, housing, energy, healthcare, transportation,
and more. And all that consumption contributes to ecological
degradation, increased conflicts, and a higher risk of large-scale
disasters like pandemics.
Global Warming :
Human population growth and climate change have grown hand in
hand as the use of fossil fuels has exploded to support industrialized
societies. More people necessitates more demand for oil, coal, gas,
and other energy sources extracted from below the Earth’s surface
that spew carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere when burned,
trapping warm air inside like a greenhouse. Most fossil fuel
consumption comes from developed countries. It is a sobering thought
that most developing nations aspire to similar industrial economies as
they experience economic growth, which further escalates CO2
emissions into the atmosphere.