The severity of the climate change disaster has increased around the world, especially in the East and the West. While there is little talk about climate change in the East, the voices of this disaster are getting louder in Western countries. According to a report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the heat in July 2023 broke all records, and this month was the hottest in the last 120,000 years. UN Chief Antonio Guterres has described this situation as the end of “global warming” and the beginning of “global boiling”.
There has been a significant increase in natural disasters in the first half of 2023. A severe heat wave caused devastation around the world in March and April, while cyclones devastated the world in June and floods affected many cities in July. The effects of climate change have also intensified in Pakistan, where floods and torrential rains caused severe damage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
This is a crucial time for Pakistan, as the increasing impacts of climate change are affecting not only the environment but also the country’s economy and the lives of its people. The Paris Agreement in 2015 promised to keep global temperatures within 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius, but the world has not implemented it, and now its serious consequences are emerging.
The severity of the impacts of climate change is increasing in Pakistan, especially in areas like Sindh and Balochistan, which are facing extreme heat and natural disasters. According to the Meteorological Department, heat and rains have set new records in various cities of Pakistan in June, resulting in power outages, school closures, and health problems.
The biggest challenge for Pakistan is not to waste this time and immediately take appropriate measures to reduce the impacts of climate change. Like Spain, Pakistan also needs to create a system called “National Heat Wave” to protect citizens.
The government of Pakistan has the resources and technical capabilities to take small but effective steps that can help combat the impacts of climate change. The recent Climate March has highlighted that we must align our policies and actions with climate change so that we can not only protect our environment but also provide a better future for future generations.
It is time to wake up from our slumber and take urgent steps to avoid the devastation of climate change, so that people in Pakistan and around the world can stay safe.
Rising sea temperatures and their impact on aquatic life
In April 2023, sea temperatures set a new record, the highest in the past 45 years. A major reason for this increase is the El Niño weather pattern, which naturally causes temperatures to rise.
According to scientists, the Earth’s global sea surface temperature has been recorded 1.55 degrees Fahrenheit (0.86 degrees Celsius) higher this year, which is higher than the temperature recorded in 2016. This shows that the Earth is warming rapidly, and most of its impact is having an impact on the oceans.
The oceans absorb the excess heat of the Earth and act like an air conditioner, but now the negative effects of this process are coming to light. Seawater is becoming acidic, which is becoming a threat to aquatic animals and other living organisms. At the same time, the melting of sea ice is also increasing the temperature of the Earth, the effect of which is being reflected in the intensification of climate change.
Scientists say that due to the increase in sea temperatures, heavy rains and the intensity of storms are also increasing. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, sea temperatures play a major role in the intensity of Cyclone Beaperjoy.
In the future, if the oceans are unable to absorb more heat, the Earth’s temperature will rise further, posing serious threats not only to marine life but also to human life. This problem cannot be solved unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced globally. Scientists also say that the oceans contribute half of the Earth’s oxygen production, more than trees and forests. Therefore, urgent environmental measures are needed to protect the health of the oceans.
