As environmental problems have acquired global concern a shift has been noted from investigating the impact of environmental problems to understand the linkages between human behaviour, environment and sustainable development. One of the core elements of sustainable development is to care for the environment. A trend is observed that different factors such as subjective norms, situational factors, ecological concerns etc. affect the intention to buy the product that is environmentally friendly. However, in order to pursue the concept of green economy, it is a government’s responsibility to take effective measures by providing subsidies, soft loans, incentives and rewards to encourage green investments and healthy lifestyles.
Over the past few years, Pakistan is grappling with different environmental issues, which is costing the government billions of dollars and loss of lives each year. This can be testified by the Global Climate Risk Index 2016 by German Watch, a German think tank, according to which Pakistan is ranked number five in the list of top 10 countries most affected due to extreme weather events. The report further stated that Pakistan lost more than two billion dollars due to extreme weather events.
Even then people are not aware of their footprint on environment. This includes the rural and urban population. Furthermore, diminishing forest cover, loss of biodiversity, scarcity of water resources, and increased air pollution along with swelling population has taken their toll on the environment.
Internationally, Pakistan has corroborated many environmental treaties and conventions by signing them, but nevertheless, environmental problems stand as massive challenges because the agreements are not translated into action. There are multiple reasons that hinder Pakistan’s way to a green country, but two of the crucial ones that demand immediate attention are the absence of political commitment, and lack of environmental awareness among masses. Also that Pakistan has already so much to deal with, such as poverty, political unrest, terrorism etc. that environmental conservation has not been given its due attention.
In Pakistan promulgation of pro-environmental behaviour is still in its embryonic stage. Very few studies have been conducted so far, and mostly are focused on Pakistani consumerism and green advertising.
Firstly, there’s a need to differentiate between climate change and weather. Weather is short-term and time-specific and can be predicted. Whereas climate change is a complex subject, is long-term, has its impact on a wide area, and is unpredictable. Climate is affected by many factors, and some of them include latitude, altitude, topography, solar radiations, volcanic activities, and orbital variations. Biotic factors include photosynthesis, respiration, evaporation and decomposition.
Climate change according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is “A change in the state of climate that can be identified by changes in means and variability of its properties; and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer.” Human civilisation and earth’s ecological system is colliding, and climate change is the most destructive, threatening manifestation of that collision. The greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) are caused by human activity, and result into global warming.
Evidence of climate change comes from different sources that may include melting of glaciers, changes in animal and plant life, and increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events etc. Climate change seems to be accelerating and triggering increased global temperature, warmest years, relentless hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, heavy rainfall, growing long seasons, and losing earth’s fertility. Mankind has destroyed the environment with its own bare hands, such as heat waves in Karachi last year, which claimed lives of more than 1,200 people. “Greenhouse emissions have increased maximum temperature from two to three degree Celsius,” the IPCC reports.
Changes in lifestyles have done much harm to this alarming global climate situation. In order to deal with this, the Norwegian government plans to have no cars on roads by 2020. Now that the problem of climate change has gone out of proportion, it is important to reduce the burden on environment by making lives simpler, supporting public transport, adjusting clothing instead of thermostat, turning unnecessary lights off, recycling and buying recycled products etc.
According to Al Gore, former US vice president and climate activist, “We are facing a true planetary emergency. The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity.”
Environmental awareness is the key to reduce carbon footprints and become sustainable. Studies have shown that behavioural changes are easy to make at a young age, and therefore, educational curriculums must include basic environmental science concepts, and specifically, how humans have led to climate change and global warming. Children must be sensitised at a young age, so that they grow into altruistic and responsible beings. Various pro-environmental activities such as planting a tree with a student’s name plate, how to make recycled paper, celebrating environment days etc. should be conducted to make people environmentally conscious.
Another way to reduce the burden on environment is through promoting organic farming, which will not only create employment opportunities but will also boost Pakistan’s economy. Researches have revealed that organic food is more nutritious and healthy. Plus, it involves no pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. At the household level, the concept of composting and kitchen gardening must be encouraged, and government must take initiatives in this regard, such as distributing free composter bins, along with seeds of various vegetables that can be grown in the garden to promote composting and kitchen gardening.
Government should establish a think tank constituting senior policy makers, psychologists, sociologists, environmentalists and media practitioners to design strategies with an aim to nurture pro-environmental behaviour in all spheres of life. Such think tanks must also have young motivated individuals who can develop new forms of activism, and are capable enough to channelise positive energies and perspectives to environmental affairs.
Also, religious scholars must also come forth in this regard and through Islamic teachings and ethics must foster pro-environmental behaviour. Penalties must be charged against violation of environmental laws, and environment advocacy programmes must be conducted especially in rural areas. No doubt, Pakistan is losing a great deal of money due to environmental degradation, but the situation can change if we strive to make this country and this world a better place to live in. It all rests in our hands!
The writer is an analyst for Biosphere