There is no doubt that global warming is one of the most serious issues this world is facing today. Though developed countries are more responsible in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) which ultimately cause global warming, but ironically developing and under developed countries, which contribute less than one percent of these emissions, are facing devastating effects.
The greenhouse effect is a natural process by which the earth holds some of the energy of sunrays, and utilizes it to warm it enough to sustain life on it. The human activities like burning of fossil fuels, excessive smoke discharges from factories and the depletion of forests have led to an increase in the concentration of the greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, in the earth’s outer atmosphere which are responsible for trapping excessive heat inside the environment and thus increasing the overall temperature of the earth, leading to the phenomenon of global warming.
As mentioned Pakistan contributes almost next to nothing in global warming but yet it remains one of the most severely hit countries of the world by global warming. It has not only affected the climate of Pakistan, due to more melting of glaciers floods have become a routine issue. In last few years Pakistan has been hit by floods almost every year. Floods not only take precious lives but also cause huge economic damages along with destroying homes and infrastructures. Rapid melting of glaciers, floods, droughts and heatwaves in various parts of the country are direct effects of global warming.
A recent research study revealed South Asia is expected to become extremely hot in 2100 and region will be almost impossible for human survival. We have already witnessed in recent years that heatwaves claimed thousands of lives. It is ironic that Pakistan is on seventh number in the list of ten worst effected countries by climate change. There is dire need to give top priority to deal with this serious issue; government must work on long and short term policies to counter the adverse effects of climate change.
Despite contributing little to global warming Pakistan remains the most at risk.
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