By Zainab Sarwar
Climate change today is not just an environmental concern; it has evolved into one of the most pressing human challenges of our era, impacting health, economy, and everyday life. For Pakistan, the threat is even more alarming because the country ranks among the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world, despite contributing less than one percent to global carbon emissions. This imbalance between responsibility and suffering makes Pakistan’s climate crisis a story of both injustice and urgency.
The year 2025 has already illustrated how serious the situation has become. Karachi and parts of interior Sindh experienced record-shattering heatwaves, with temperatures crossing 50°C. Hospitals overflowed with heatstroke patients, power outages left entire neighborhoods gasping for relief, and life in many areas came to a complete halt. At the same time, Lahore and Faisalabad were once again blanketed in dense, poisonous smog, forcing schools to close and trapping citizens indoors. The smog not only crippled mobility but also left thousands suffering from respiratory diseases, eye infections, and worsening asthma cases. These events underline the reality that climate change in Pakistan is not a looming threat for the future; it is an emergency unfolding in the present, reshaping the way millions of Pakistanis live and survive.
At the heart of this crisis lie several interlinked causes that continue to intensify Pakistan’s vulnerability. Rapid population growth puts immense pressure on natural resources, while unplanned urban expansion destroys green spaces and accelerates pollution. The uncontrolled use of plastic adds mountains of non-biodegradable waste to cities and waterways, poisoning ecosystems. Large-scale deforestation, often for urban development or timber trade, strips the country of its natural defense against floods, erosion, and heat. In the energy sector, Pakistan’s dependence on fossil fuels such as coal and oil continues to poison the air and increase carbon emissions, despite the country’s vast potential for renewable energy sources like solar and wind. These structural issues compound each other, making climate change not only a scientific reality but also a man-made disaster magnified by policy failures and neglect.
The impacts of climate change in Pakistan are deeply human. Farmers, who form the backbone of the economy, face crop losses and falling yields due to unpredictable rain patterns, longer droughts, and sudden floods. Entire communities that rely on agriculture are thrown into poverty when weather extremes ruin their livelihoods. Water scarcity, already a serious issue, is worsening with melting glaciers and reduced rainfall, creating tensions over resource sharing. For urban populations, extreme heat makes it nearly impossible for workers to perform daily labor, cutting into productivity and wages. Children living in polluted cities find it hard to breathe, study, or even play outside without health risks. Climate change is not just about rising temperatures or erratic weather—it is about survival, dignity, and the shrinking possibilities of a safe and healthy life for ordinary Pakistanis.
Addressing this challenge requires immediate, coordinated action at every level. The government must take the lead in shifting Pakistan’s energy mix toward renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydropower, which can reduce dependence on imported fuel and lower emissions. Large-scale tree plantation campaigns must be prioritized to restore lost forests and create natural shields against environmental disasters. Urban centers require sustainable transport systems, including reliable public buses and trains, to cut down on vehicular pollution. Cities also need better waste management systems that reduce plastic consumption and promote recycling. Alongside policy measures, ordinary citizens have a role to play as well. Small but consistent steps such as saving electricity and water, saying no to single-use plastics, planting trees, and using eco-friendly transport can collectively reduce the burden on the environment. Climate change cannot be tackled by governments alone; it demands a cultural shift in how society interacts with nature.
The cost of inaction will be devastating. If Pakistan continues on its current path, climate change will deepen poverty, displace communities, weaken public health systems, and cripple economic growth. The damage may soon become irreversible, leaving future generations to inherit a land unfit for safe living. The crisis is not just an environmental problem—it is a question of social justice, economic stability, and the very future of the nation.
In the face of this challenge, there is no room for complacency. Pakistan’s survival depends on bold policies, sustained public awareness, and international support to build resilience against a crisis it did little to cause but is paying the highest price for. Climate change in Pakistan is no longer an abstract debate; it is the story of our homes, our farms, our children, and our tomorrow. This is the moment to unite as a nation and act with urgency. The time to protect our homeland is not tomorrow—it is today.
The writer is the Student of Communication and Media Studies at Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.