Daily Times

It has now become evident that the process of sea level rise (SLR) not only globally but also in Pakistan is an empirical reality that we need to adapt to by changing our life-styles and even our places of residence and livelihood. There is still an opportunity to avoid severe catastrophes occurring in the form of loss of lives and assets for common citizen if we were to act now instead of continuing to wait until the rising tide is literally over our heads.

The impacts of climate change and sea-level rise create significant policy issues for all levels of government in Pakistan. The dangers of sea level rise decrease obtainable land, bring about an increase in competition for development, and require added costs for infrastructure maintenance. Pressures thereby brought upon, because of rapidly growing population with the existing constraints on idle or available land, there is a need to explore altered re-development patterns so that competition increases for reduced prices and higher ground. This would challenge the capability of socially vulnerable people to counter impacts of sea level rise. Higher rates of migration are likely to increase the size of population at risk. Adaptation strategies are crucial to combat or mitigate impacts of climate change and rising sea levels, and rely heavily on funding. Besides funding, it is necessary to conduct a preliminary assessment to determine availability of resources for future social and infrastructure needs. Evidence suggests that involving local community makes adaptation efforts more successful because of combined efforts that become more organized as they are molded by challenges at the neighborhood level, rather than regional. Pakistan needs to implement comprehensive coastal management plan.

Although, LED has been introduced in the country, this needs to continue and enhance its use for commercial and domestic use to ease the need to put up fossil fuel guzzling and greenhouse gas emitting power plants

In this regard, it is recommended that national energy policies are prepared particularly with keeping the enhanced exploitation and use of renewable energy resources wind, solar, geothermal, tidal etc., in mind. Such policies may also include plans for excess capacity utilization in the form of reverse metering, carbon-bonus and pro-poor dimension. Building of reliable statistical database for causes and effects of climate change in general and sea level rise in particular is recommended to be established as part of such policies.

It is opined that renewable energy use should be encouraged and made part of development plans and programs; and increasing political commitment by involving political stakeholders for its promotion with more political commitment will better help in achieving the implementation of energy plans successfully.

Governments in federal and provincial apply unambiguous policy packages and provide valuable tax incentives to encourage energy efficiency for reduction in emission of greenhouse gases. In the light of increasing population and their issues of increasing food and energy demand in Pakistan, long-term policies by the government would be required to combat hunger and stabilize energy supply in the country.

Certain approaches should be incorporated to reduce the negative impacts of global warming. Pakistan need to take advantage of new opportunities that may be present; in this case, adaption is important. Policy makers in Pakistan should have to understand that greenhouse gases are already in the atmosphere from past and current emissions. This planet is already committed to at least much warming over 21stcentury.

Mangrove forests can contribute to reducing the vulnerability of local coastal communities through the provision of storm protection; sufficiently wide and dense mangrove belts can protect people from severe weather events such as tropical cyclones, saving lives and reducing damage to property. Many impacts of global warming is caused by big industry, it is recommended that government should take step to reduce carbon emission and take measures to reduction impacts on global warming and install solar panel in case of energy production.

Although, LED has been introduced in the country, this needs to continue and enhance its use for commercial and domestic use to ease the need to put up fossil fuel guzzling and greenhouse gas emitting power plants. Current water storage capacity of Pakistan is only for 30 days, which need to be enhanced up to 90 days. New dams in this regard are the demand of the hour and current government has already initiated construction projects.

Domestic resources are limited to face this problem owing to lack of technology and skills development. Therefore, international linkages for exchange of information as well as monetary fund’s need to be put in place not only with countries that are potentially facing the same problem but also with the countries that have been effected by such problems and successfully managed it. Pakistan government needs to create awareness amongst the citizens of both urban and rural coastal communities.

Safety structures like dykes, sea walls, barricades, etc., must be built around coastal areas with extensive population in the same manner as other nations confronted with SLR have done. In this regard, technical assistance should be obtained from the government and people of Netherlands who are especially adept at implementing such measures. Dutch people are not only experts at keeping sea intrusion in check but also in land reclamation. They have also helped Kingdom of Saudia Arabia (KSA) in this field in 1970s (Concluded).

The writer is studying at Government College Lahore

The writer is an old Ravian. He can be reached at saudzafar5 @gmail.com