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CBN Magazine
CBN Magazine
MAGAZINE
VISION OF SUSTANIABILITY
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1, APRIL 2019
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Through our magazine, you will discover our commitment to our country and local people.
Our focus then and now is to tackle the climate challenges to work proactively with our
community members to find the best solutions and applications to assure ‘sustainable’ long
term relationships. Our magazine allows us to connect with the Pakistan’s community,
citizens and nonprofit organisations in a timely and dynamic manner.
If you have ideas for what to include on the magazine, or subjects to explore in the
magazine, please let me know!
TAYYAB SHAFIQUE
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Welcome!
JOIN HANDS WITH SUSTAINABILITY
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THE CLIMACT
MAGAZINE
AN INITIATIVE OF
WHO
WE
ARE?
OUR INITIATIVES
8
in fulfilment with the SDGs. QUARTERLY MAGAZINE
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CBN believes in
collaborative
actions and always
supports to other
organizations
efforts which are
significant for
environmental
betterment. CBN
CBN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BRIEFING ON SDGs
has organized (TRAINING SESSION)
various climate
change awareness
and capacity
building trainings in
Industries,
Academia and at
community level, as
well as supported a
number of events of
other
organizations.
CONTENTS
Pakistan’s War Against Global Warming Mr. Tayyab Shafique 1
A Journey Through a Climate Victim and Poverty-Stricken
Ms. Syeda Urooj Fatima 3
Country
Climate Change: A Myth or Reality Mr. Ameer Ali 5
Problems being Faced by Pakistan for Achieving SDGs Ms. Tahira Afzal 18
Climate Change Who Will Pay the Cost? Ms. Syeda Zinnia Iqbal 24
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compared to the annual averages, expanded the
akistan, a climate victim and poverty- frequency of extreme events, floods and
stricken country, having poor drought, and are responsible for vegetation and
availability of natural resources, is on 7 rank in
th
agricultural pattern shift. These indicators of
terms of climate vulnerability index. A journey climate change are strongly interrelated with
through Pakistan attracts the interest of policy the poverty profile of Pakistan. Moreover, since
makers, academia and governmental bodies to Pakistan is an agrarian country, 67% of the
estimate the damages exacerbated by climate population of the country live in rural areas is
change. Enlisting such damages, climate dependent on agriculture, facing exacerbating
change has drastically altered the poverty poverty and resource scarcity due to reduction
profile, livelihood, living standards and in crop yield, conflicts over land availability, and
socioeconomic values of the societies, change in crop pattern and associated
particularly those, who have been already economic issues.
scarce in terms of environmental and natural
Despite all these facts, the global policy makers
resources.
and institutes have focused towards the
betterment of the society and the United
Nations have set 17 Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) in 2015. Among these goals,
poverty eradication has been set as the first
priority goal to achieve till 2030. Alarmingly,
Pakistan and rest of the world has left with only
12 years to achieve these goals.
Pakistan, due to its geographical location is
significantly rely on the climatic variables. In
addition to this, UNDP reported that during a
period of 1990 to 2017, Pakistan’s Human
Development Index (HDI) has been increased
Although, the contribution of Pakistan in
from 0.404 to 0.562, which ranks the Pakistan at
greenhouse gas emission is very low, but it is
150 out of 189 states. According to this index,
one of the most vulnerable country due to the
Pakistan has been categorized as a medium
climatic variations. These variations have
human development country.
shrunk the availability of natural resources,
altered the precipitation and temperature as
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However, poverty and climate dynamics of impacts are pushing the poor population into
Pakistan indicate that poverty is not a static and extreme poorer condition.
one-way process. There are different sources
As a result, most of the population is migrating
which push and pull the people to enter and
move out from the phase of poverty. Keeping in
mind these facts, one can think that climate
change has coupled these problems by many
folds. For instance, WHO reported that heat
shocks, one of the impacts of climate change,
are the major drivers of poverty pushing a large
number of populations into poverty. In addition
to this, climate change also alters the flow of
people who are escaping the poverty. Moreover,
the country has experienced extreme drought
conditions from 1997 to 2000. Similarly, flood of
2010 affected a huge population of Pakistan.
from rural to urban areas causing different
The aforesaid condition indicates the extreme types of conflicts and humans settlement
vulnerability of Pakistan towards climate issues. The main impact of this migration is due
change which caused losses to human to the conflict over natural resources, such as
settlements due to limited mitigation and water, of the welcoming area which is already
adaptation strategies. In contrast to this, during limited to the existing population. Despite the
flooding season most of the agricultural land climatic changes and its related impacts, the
destroys due to water logging issues. Sea water problem of weak governance, elite powers and
intrusion is also on its way to damage the political instability are also playing significant
agricultural areas, particularly in low lying role in reducing the community resilience.
coastal regions of Sindh. Not only Southern Secondly, the rural communities are very less
Pakistan, population of Northern areas of aware regarding climate change and its impacts
Pakistan are also facing the similar dilemma on their life style and development. Therefore,
due to variation in climate variables. Pattern of vulnerability of communities to existing
snow fall, agricultural activities, crop growth, environmental risks is needed to be explored in
sowing and harvesting of agricultural crops, parallel to poverty and climate change in
fruits and vegetables and other associated Pakistan.
livestock is seriously affected. These climatic
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CLIMATE CHANGE:
A MYTH OR REALITY
AMEER ALI
I
moves ahead against the flow of the
t is still quite disheartening to look at the catastrophic disaster. The very photo, in fact,
miserable plight of Puerto Rico’s climate portrays the cruelties inflicted upon human
change refugees. (One would find so many such beings by the rapid changes that take place in
pictures on the net). Not too far ago, the the earth’s atmosphere. Does the responsibility
ruthless daughter of climate change, Hurricane not fall on human beings for all these gruesome
Maria, wreaked havoc in Puerto Rico, and it changes? Are we really bent upon destroying
almost toppled down the daily life of the region. our mother planet? Why should the temporary
This climatic catastrophe has been well interests be valued more at the stake of
captured in photos by the climate journalists; people’s lives? Although there are a few people
the photos add to already growing degree of who claim that climate change is a myth, but the
concern for the future of mankind. One such weather volatility, global warming, constant
picture that went viral throughout social media, increase in sea levels, and growing
Let’s say, this with sublime confidence, actually desertification around the world irrefutably
narrates the grim condition of a climate change stand by the fact that climate change is a very
affected family. The picture clearly shows a serious threat to mankind and their planet. The
woman who is struggling in the face of furious phenomenon of climatic disaster is brought
wave of flood; simultaneously, the desperate about mainly by the careless, self-interest-
woman carrying a baby on her back, holding oriented approach of people.
another tightly, and guiding her daughter,
Moreover, this inevitable, atmospheric
change unfortunately has resulted into
many calamitous incidents, such as
the quickened loss of polar ice and
species; it has also disrupted the
natural process of life. If timely
measures are not taken to counter the
grave threat, it would plunge human
species into the terrible pit of
extinction.
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HEAT WAVES
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WATER-BORNE DISEASES
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WATERMILLS
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NON-IMPORTANCE
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CREATURE’S BREATH -
CLIMATE
IQRA ASGHAR
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INDUCTRIALIZATION AND
ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
SANA FATIMA
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SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
hen traditionally industrial sectors,
such as agriculture, education
health of an economy becomes increasingly
similar to manufacture sector of economy, we
known it as “industrialization”.
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friendly products.
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effective approach. In this manner it will be
clarified that either SDGS (sustainable
eing a developing country there are
development Goals) are catering effectively or
some problems that are being
not. Also, Biodiversity measurement plays a
mentioned in a research paper for achieving
huge role for helping to understand the
Sustainable development Goals. While over
sustainability of eco system. So, in that manner
viewing the whole topic. I came to release that
Pakistan has to set its priority towards the
perhaps there are some issues that lie same in
responsible institutions for gathering data
Pakistan as well. While the approach was first
related to biodiversity. In that manner effective
started with Millennium Development Goals.
decision making will play its role.
Now basically there are some points which the
millennium Development Goals were about to
hit and made substantial changes at least it
didn’t turn out towards. But Our Focus here is
not pointing out the draw backs that
Millennium Development Goals hold. The 7th
Goal in Millennium Development Goals were
about to Target Environmental Sustainability.
This Goal was about to Target sustainable
development into country Policy and also
ensure safe drinking water all among to be
followed by 2020. However, this Goal has not
brought much changes. Now the problems that
Sustainable Development Goals are about to
bring. First of all, whatever the metrics that are
being set needed to be well understood by the
community. While most of the time in our Again, while reviewing and reading that I
current scenario our community doesn’t know released that educating the community in
the safe levels of drinking water and also about terms of sustainability is quite essential. Either
the level air that should be considered in terms of a campaign or so. These are the
breathable. About this we need to educate actions that cannot be possible without public
people so that they can play their role in the participation. Perhaps this needs a strong hand
implementation of these standards. Hence to hand relationship of Scientist and
People will be able to know their progress and Government. Developing country like Pakistan
also know what the levels that needs to be needed to address these challenges for
considerable. Second problem is that there are implementing Sustainable Development Goals
measures that needed to be taken to measure mindfully only in that manner sustainability
and evaluate progress. Perhaps for measuring will be about to achieved.
this careful monitoring on yearly basis is
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uses about 90 gallons per day. In developed
ater is our most precious resource countries the average person uses around 150-
and is vital to our lives. It also 250 gallons of water daily. Even more water is
serves as the lifeline of our environment. All used by industries to generate electricity,
living things would die and our environment will manufacture things, and transport people and
be deteriorated to the maximum if it weren't for goods.
water. According to the Second UN World Water
Without water, neither small businesses nor Development Report, if present levels of
major global industries can function. Not family consumption continue, two-thirds of the global
farms or major agribusinesses. Not energy population will live in areas of water stress by
production facilities or computer
manufacturers or steel companies. Similarly,
poor water quality, or limited or unreliable
access to water means higher costs for all
businesses – and all consumers. Water scarcity
means greater risks for a community’s long-
term viability and a negative impact on their
competitiveness.
It also means that a community’s ability to grow
and create jobs is at risk. Regardless of debate
whether water has become the new oil, one
thing is certain: water is ironically both taken for
granted and serves as the engine of our 2025. Increasing human demand for water
economy. If not properly managed, water coupled with the effects of climate change mean
scarcity will directly affect the local ability to that the future of our water supply is not secure.
grow and create jobs. As of now, 2.6 billion people do not have safe
drinking water. Added to this, are the changes in
Water cover two-third of the surface of Earth,
climate, population growth and lifestyles. The
but fresh water is just 0.002 percent of it and we changes in human lifestyle and activities
are depleting this non-renewable resource at a require more water per capita .
very fast rate. Our water consumption is very
high and it is estimated that an average person
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This tightens the competition for water shortages, it is unforgivable that so little is done
amongst agricultural, industrial, and human on the governmental level to preserve and
consumption. ensure proper management of this invaluable
and life-giving resources.
Right now, many companies already consider
water resources when making decisions about Mismanagement of freshwater resources is
where to invest or locate facilities. And they are also causing floods where there were never
giving preference to areas where water risks any floods, droughts where there never any
are lowest. These businesses understand what droughts. Take for example rivers: we dam
policymakers are now coming to realize: When them, divert them, and devalue them.
water resources are unhealthy or unreliable, Overuse of water in homes also leaves less fresh
businesses cannot grow and cannot hire or water for use in agriculture. If plants cannot be
sustain a workforce. Local commerce suffers, watered due to shortages, crop yields are
incomes decline, tax revenues fall. The effects reduced and the food supply for humans and for
are very real and they are felt immediately and livestock is threatened. The fresh water that is
acutely. cleaned and delivered to homes and businesses
is often taken from aquatic environments in
It is also quite important for the general public which the plants and animals rely on the water to
and governmental organizations to realize the survive. If too much water is removed from these
worth of the lifeline of our planet. With one- systems and not returned in equal quantities,
third of the world's population living in species become endangered.
countries which are experiencing water
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the form of wood, coal, gas and geothermal
energy resources. For example, among all
hile catapulting a household trash
countries in the world, in Pakistan, according to
filled with plastic, glass, paper, and
Sui Northern and Southern official website 5.3
cuisine waste, is public bother to conceive about
million of consumer and 2.8 million connections
the fate of that stuff being produced by them?
respectively, which are progressively
Humans across tropics to poles possess a
flourishing in numbers, are dependent upon the
ubiquitous and crackerjack of not wasting a
sui-natural gas for cooking.
minute even, in casting waste quickly as soon as
garbage trash gets filled, with a perception to
keep their homes spick-and-span, however,
almost all of them, that while, entirely ignore
the bitter corporality of boat-loading their
ultimate home i.e. the earth with pollution and
contamination.
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natural processes and the outcome we have
today is Climate change!
limate change, we have been hearing
from past many years about this word As most of the scientist agree on the fact that
but today it’s here! It’s not a future problem
climate change is a result of Anthropogenic
anymore but a current major threat to the whole activities or has at least been accelerated by
world. human activities but the main question that now
comes is who will pay the cost of this damage
Earth is self-sustaining body as we say in
that we have done?
scientific term- it has its own processes and
cycles that have been going on since the
formation of Earth. It has natural process for
every single thing- dead matter? Decomposers
are present! Limited water? Water cycle is there
that recycles the water, basically there is every
natural process that makes earth a self-
sustaining body that does not require any
external force or intervention (except sunlight).
these processes however are slow. As Earth
has limited resources which require a certain
replenishment time making these processes
slow and steady.
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SMOG IN PAKISTAN
HUMERA QASIM KHAN
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pollutant responsible for smog built up is NOx.
t is the most recent episode that thick fog In history, the most lethal smog was developed
covers Lahore, blocking out the winter in 1952, the London’s Great Smog, when more
sunshine, closing off the motorway after dusk
than 12,000 deaths were reported due to traffic
and preventing flights from landing at the accidents and respiratory illness. In 2012,
international airport at night. Resident of Beijing also faced deadliest smog and resulted
Lahore are facing a dense blanket of smog that in large number of casualties. But in the most
have reduced visibility for commuters and recent event, Lahore in Pakistan and Delhi in
responsible for several respiratory and mental India is also hit by the smog. An agri-waste
illness. The problem has grown worse over the processing facility is working under the Punjab
last five years due to the high levels of pollution Agro Industries Corporation Limited in India.
and poor air quality in the city, created by They buy the agri-waste from the farmers and
increasing vehicular, industrial emissions, coal sell it to the power plants and industries as an
-based power plants, and burning of agriculture alternative to coal. Farmers were demanding a
waste. Basically, smog is a mixture of different raise in the money for agri-waste, which was
pollutants, including oxides of nitrogen (NOx), turned down. Because it became impossible to
oxides of Sulphur (SOx), carbon monoxide (CO), revise the rates in a fiscally responsible manner
particulate Matter (PM), volatile organic and the rates of agri-waste have almost
compounds (VOC), and the ozone. The main doubled since 2013.
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don’t realize is how did, we, as mankind ended
hat buzzing sound just woke you up and up with this psychology and lifestyle. The
you snoozed the alarm again to get the answer is ANTHROPOCENE! The age of Man.
satisfaction of rest for ten minutes more. You
We, as human beings, have not just evolved with
finally wake up and leave your bed messy
time physically and emotionally, but also
because you’re late for work. You rush to the
mentally. By learning from mistakes of history,
bathroom, brush your teeth, wash your face and
we call ourselves better than those who were
jump right into the hot shower to relax to those
before us.
aching muscles from a tiring day yesterday.
Once suited up after using a number of
electronics from hair dryer and shaver to tea
and sandwich maker, you rush your breakfast
and breathe. You grab your keys, wallet, sun
glasses, cellphone, briefcase containing your
documents and laptop. You walk in the drive way
to your car and rush off just to find yourself
stuck in a traffic jam at 8:38 AM when you have
to reach office at 9:00! The tension and urge to
get things done with 24 hours yet not being
enough reminds you of urban lifestyle and
modernism. The need of rushing with time and
those dues, make you realize that this job is a
need. The social pressures of keeping up to the But again, it is because of those simpler times
trends and yet thinking about that weekend you and the same societal pressures that together
promised your family still has to be planned, for created the modern age. The industrial
the mere fact of social acceptance on Facebook revolutions, the breakthrough in modern
and twitter! You realize and feel a thousand medicine, the questions of worlds beyond the
things in that very moment. The only thing you stars and the urge of knowing the secrets of the
deepest trenches of the oceans led us to ‘Today’.
We made time complicated for us and after all
this hard work, we are still not satisfied. We lost
ANTHROPOCENE this satisfaction with time as we have gone
against laws of nature to make ends meet. We
THE AGE OF MAN tried to evolve against the time of nature. We
went too far with resources and what was being
provided by nature to us.
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We extracted, burnt, cut, harvested, depleted, between ecosystems are hunted as trophies or
poached, hunted and finally made it go extinct in fine-dine cuisine. Those bumblebees that
a blink of an eye because we raced against time pollinate rare flowers and make honey, are on a
simply for the urge of more. verge of extinction because we have put a price
tag on everything they’re dependent upon.
Humans have proved it scientifically that
human body is the most complex from of life.
Made up of thousands of cells, all functioning
individually yet connected together, to make
this life form eat, breathe think and exist. In
terms of intellect, humans have above par
intelligence because of yet another complex
system of neurons and psychology, again
proved scientifically. Collectively, there doesn’t
exist even a single life-form on this planet that
can excel complicated human biology. Yet we as
humans, have failed to understand that every
other ‘simple’ life-form, exists to benefit us.
From microscopic phytoplankton that drifts the
shallow waters of massive oceans that to those We, as humans, may have succeeded these
giant eucalyptus trees that take more than ten creatures biologically and intellectually but in
years to grow tall provides oxygen for us to terms of contributing back to nature, we have
breathe. Those sponges in the sea that may failed to understand this business. We started
by taking what nature provided us but we are
seem idle, filter waste from seawater that we
ending it by ending nature itself. Humans
dump in it. That Vaquita Porpoise which is
appeared in the end, and succeeded every life-
struggling its survival for decades, has been form as well as the planet. We seem to know it
controlling the populations of those sea all, we seem to calculate it all as well; but lesser
creatures that we cannot eat. The apex we know is that nature produced us and hence if
predators called crocodiles have actually seen we were gifted power, we were gifted to protect
dinosaurs that are poached and killed for their nature and not destroy it. Turning ourselves
tough skin used in tanning industry. Those rare against nature and time will result in harsh
birds that migrate thousands of miles each year consequences because those will remain even
after us. It is us that may not be there to see it.
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will be getting drier and hotter with more
he topic which comes into discussion prevalent periods of droughts and fire related
today is, how the change in climatic conditions continuing to increase. Recently in
conditions of the world is affecting countries SA, during the past 3 months, there have been
globally. It can safely be claimed that these days evident instances of climatic change, which can
it is the highly discussed topic internationally be linked to the overall changes that this region
and people are trying their best to cope up with is facing due to change in climatic conditions.
this alarming situation. Our earth’s surface is Two of the most prominent impacts have been
warming rapidly and we can already see social, observed in the form of (1) record breaking high
economic and environmental impacts in temperatures in South Australia and (2) local
Australia, among various other countries. famers suffering losses and being unable to
sustain their livelihoods.
This article will be focusing on some of the
changes that are being faced specifically in Before I discuss the high temperatures
South Australia (SA) due to the climatic and experienced in recent summers, it must be
environmental changes. Few years back, it was clarified that the weather pattern in Australia is
predicted that the weather of South Australia changed from different parts of the world as it
lies in the Southern Hemisphere.
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training sessions to spread awareness about
assive Plastic debris is found this campaign.
everywhere in the world of today & He went to different schools, colleges,
poor human who don't even glance over how
universities and to every common man to
fairly destructive it is for human life and deliver the cognizance of how plastic pollution
moreover marine life! has devastating environment implications.
This issue must need to be addressed as it is Social media & print media supported this
polluting every inhabitant here so the great campaign to give exposure on this issue. He
Abdul Haseeb who was opted as CLIMATE with his team worked on vertical gardening &
AMBASSADOR through International Climate green wall to increase the greenery and
Ambassador Program by CARE ABOUT decrease the Pollution.
CLIMATE, who did expedite progress for the Break Free Plastic Movement that was started
betterment of environment. He was assigned a as a Campaign, but now it is a proper Student
project for 3 months in which he did pre- Based Organization that is working not only in
eminent work. He named it as Break Free around Pakistan but as well in abroad.
Plastic Movement. He conducted seminars and
BFP-Movement aims to work
toward breaking World free from
the shackles of plastic pollution
and its toxic impact on humans,
animals, and the environment. Our
main goal is to spread the word
about how harmful plastic waste is
for us and for our generations to
come.
Since 2018 Break Free Plastic
movement has been Opened its
Chapter in Five (5) Different
Countries, that includes England,
Nepal, Nigeria, Uganda and United
States of America.
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Ever since its establishment in 2009, the a big step towards bringing awareness to the
Foundation for Fighting Poverty Pakistan has students.
been working tirelessly for the betterment of FFP has also made great strides for other social
society. With over 400 active members, FFP has
causes and has had 9 consecutive annual Iftar
been spreading its wings steadily in the realm of drives since its beginning. Its main areas of
social work in Pakistan, and has distinguished operation all come under the umbrella of
itself as a leading organization for bringing eradicating poverty. These include a strong
positive change against poverty. focus on better education systems, and FFP has
There are however hurdles in every good deed’s provided countless students and educational
way and FFP has struggled to find sustainability institutions with academic supplies, along with
for its various plantation drives across the paying for countless other students’ fees.
country. With over 2000 trees planted in Karachi The team at FFP is a close-knit community of
and interior Sindh in the last 2 years alone, and like-minded and passionate individual who all
over a thousand trees planted in a drive in Tando want to implement some sort of a positive
Adam in 2017, FFP has done more than its fair change in society, and most of them are young
share to combat the environmental damage people who have been in the organization since
caused by the modern man’s lifestyle. Due to its humble beginnings. Speaking of young, the
their inability to oversee the growth of all the founder of FFP, Syed Muhammad Abdullah
plants that they have sowed, the plants end up himself founded the organization at the young
being plucked out or die due to a lack of care by age of 15, and has brought his organization up
the inhabitants of the areas where they reside. with the help of his devoted team members.
Last December, FFP had its most ambitious and When asked about his views on the future of his
successful plant drive in the Jamshed Memorial organization, he said that he wishes to have
School in Karachi, where some members of the ‘education for all, and health cards for the
organization also gave a presentation on the underprivileged’ and raise awareness against
environmental situation of the country and the climate change & open training center that will
world at large to the students. This drive was generate employment opportunities and
also a proposal to the EU and a pilot for the independency. He also has many other projects
planned out and as the organization comes
Climate Change Campaign 2030, which aimed to
towards its 10th anniversary, we wish it good
present the children as agents of change within
luck for all its future endeavors.
society. The event was a huge success, and was
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The strength with which climate change will was concluded that almost 60% of yield loss
impact a country is based upon three main was associated with problems that occur due to
factors; the water conservation practices, climate change. The most prominent issues
overall forest cover and the agricultural observed among the farms regarding yield loss
practices of the country. Unfortunately, were associated with climate change.
Pakistan has issues with all the three sectors
mentioned above and therefore is placed
among the top 10 countries that will have
devastating outcomes due to climate change.
When it comes to agricultural practices
Pakistan still observes outdated methods that
require more resource inputs as compared to
the outcomes. Pakistan need agricultural
reforms on a state level as these issues will not
solve themselves on its own.
The farmers in Pakistan lack basic education.
Since past year I have been working in Pakistan
as an agricultural consultant. During this time, I
have interacted farmers from all sort of
backgrounds. These farmers make mistakes
that if prevented can reduce the yield loss by a
Water scarcity was observed to be most
significant amount. The data shows how much
common issue associated with yield reduction
yield loss is being faced by farmers of Central
among farmers of Central Punjab. Another
Punjab during the past 4 years. The maximum
commonly observed problem was destruction
yield loss was observed to be around 36.2%
of crop due to extreme weather which includes
whereas among 21% of farms there was no yield
problems such as dry spell, intense storms or
loss observed. This decrease in yield was
unpredicted rainfall. Around 46% people agreed
observed to take place because of several
that weather phenomenon were responsible
environmental and anthropogenic factors.
for yield loss. Along with these two, other
The global food demand is increasing as is the issues that were commonly observed to reduce
need to improve agricultural practices. Due to farmers yield were soil salinity and over
lack of education, farmers of Pakistan make fertilization. Most of these problems can be
tiny mistakes which can potentially cause a resolved by simply educating the farmers thus
significant issue leading to reduced amount of improving the yield and contributing to
produced yield. As per the conducted survey it economics of Pakistan.
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Water scarcity is a commonly observed matter the crop thus preventing the yield loss.
which can cause devastating impacts on crop
Farmers of Central Punjab were also observed
yield. There are several aspects which can to be impacted by weather phenomenon.
reduce the water availability for the farmers. Extreme weather harms crop yield in several
Although Pakistan has one of the most different ways. The most common is
improved water canal system yet there are destruction due to storms. During the period of
farmers who do not have enough water past 4 years abrupt storms has been a real
available to them throughout the year. problem across Punjab. Immature plants can
Around 57% of farmers claimed that water recover from impact of strong winds by
scarcity was an issue which was faced by them repairing itself however once the plant passes
and impacts their crop yield, where as only 9% the stage of maturation it does not recover from
of farmers were sure there was no problem such impacts. Unpredicted or unexpected
regarding water availability that was impacting storms which occur after the maturation of
their crop yield. crop can cause devastating effect on crop
yields. This impact can be reduced by adjusting
Problems associated with water can be solved
the sowing of seed while considering expected
with water conservation techniques such as
storm dates. A slight change in sowing time can
water storage and improved irrigation system.
help reclaim almost all the yield lost due to this
Water storage can be done by either rain water
phenomenon.
harvesting which is one of the most used
technique across the globe, along with it canal Another commonly known phenomenon
water can also be stored for usage at the time of associated with extreme weathers is dry spell.
need. Improved irrigation system such as drip Dry spell creates water scarcity which has
irrigation or sprinkle irrigation can reduce the been previously discussed. Retro to water
water requirement for field by 70 percent. It is scarcity is a problem which is not really
also a cost-efficient method to provide fertilizer addressed when it comes to yield loss.
to crop. Overall a combination of both these However, while interviewing the farmers it was
techniques can fulfill the water requirements of observed to be common occurrence.
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When industries that use chemicals as raw change eliminates exposures to a potential
materials begin to use CP/PP to change human carcinogen but also leads to
materials and processes, there are improvement in dry-cleaning job organization
opportunities to decrease workplace and reduction in ergonomic risk factors.
exposures. Substituting the solvent with the lowest
In the past, control of workplace exposures has concentration of aliphatic organic chemicals for
consisted of end-of-pipe interventions that did organic solvents in cleaning printing ink from
not systematically examine root causes. metal surfaces in the offset lithographic
Therefore, it was not recognized that a industry. Introducing an electrostatically
preferred engineering control, such as local delivered coating to replace a paint with resin-
exhaust ventilation, shifted the hazard burden based epoxies in painting of small metal parts.
from the workplace to the ambient environment Occupational and environmental hygiene
in the form of air pollution or, solid hazardous should strive to change its focus from
waste i.e. Filters. In a comprehensive CP/PP secondary to primary prevention by addressing
approach, environmental health and workplace problems as comprehensive
occupational health scientists need to work production problems that have impact inside
together to avoid shifting hazards from one and outside of the point of production.
medium to another, such as from workplace to Workplace problems should not be
community air, or from industrial waste to compartmentalized from environmental
community water. problems. CP/PP approaches need to be
integrated into occupational and environmental
The six general PP (source-reduction) tactics
health.
that most directly affect environmental and
occupational health are as follows: raw PARTNERS OF PROJECT EPSIRE
material substitution or reduced use, by Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and
addressing workplace problems as Exporters Association (PHMA)
comprehensive production closed-loop Pakistan Readymade Garments
recycling, process or equipment modification, Manufacturers and Exporters Association
improvement of maintenance, reformulation of (PRGMEA)
products, and improvement of housekeeping Towel Manufacturers Association of
and training. Some examples of pollution Pakistan (TMA)
prevention interventions that incorporate Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts
concern for reduction or elimination of work and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM)
exposures are the following: Small & Medium Enterprises Development
Eliminating use of elemental mercury for Authority (SMEDA)
switches in new car manufacturing, and
The project has published success stories of CP
substituting with traditional electrical switches,
implementation in Pakistani Industries. The
as the US EPA has recommended. Substituting know-how is available for Pakistani Industries,
water-based solvents for perchloroethylene in Academia and Trade association. It is time to
industrial textile dry-cleaning operations. This take advantage of emerging technologies.
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Nature Conservation
Alliance Pakistan, NCAP, is
a student organisation,
founded by the students of
Institute of Environmental
Studies, University of
Karachi.
NCAP aims to create sense
of environmentalism among
local, private sectors and
government by indulging
them in eco-friendly
activities.
As together we make an
environment, which then
becomes an influencing factor for each campaign named as "CASH OUR TRASH" in
individual, it cannot be improved or move which sessions on Waste Management are
towards betterment individually. Therefore, for conducted regarding what is waste? How is it
its betterment, we need to create a bridge of influencing our lives badly? How many types of
alliance between local and government waste are there? How it can be managed and
working bodies. Nature Conservation Alliances how we can generate money by segregating our
Pakistan is working to bring all the responsible waste? In this campaign the schools are
people on the same platform by creating targeted and are motivated to introduce waste
alliance and to move forward towards management system at the institute, so that we
betterment. NCAP is also working on shaping can move from mixed waste to zero waste
minds positively by conducting different system. Hence, NCAP is working for the
awareness sessions and activities that impact betterment of our society and believes that our
on human psychology. NCAP has started a society will become healthier.
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For saving the humanity and marine life for which is to make healthy indoors with better air
forthcoming, Wahab Bukhari is spreading way quality along with beautification. He has
out to Reuse, Recycle, Reduce and the special command on selection of best plants as per
one is REFUSE plastic which is rare to see being Space, Area, Light, water, Maintenance and all
practice in Pakistan. to make Right plant at right place.
A reformer of surrounding Wahab Bukhari has
done many miracles in environmental field on
addition to that Wahab has driven many
successful tree plantation campaigns/drives
especially on green belts of Karachi at different
schools. He is also unmatchable in mangroves
plantation drives which is to protect coast,
marine life and environment, but right now
Wahab is connected and leading a project “Go
Green” with Pakistan Science Club with the
objective to initiate and propagate research
culture of plants mainly among teens and youth, His passion, zeal, sincerity for life, dedication
particularly in Horticulture: i.e. agriculture, towards his goals, love for nature and
gardening, aquaponics, hydroponics, roof top environment gives him enough energy to do
gardening, vertical gardening etc. more miracles and pushed him for some of
toughest task of his life. His ultimate goal is to
He has been working as an advisor in a project “struggle for betterment of Pakistan, humanity,
namely "Sabza" (Bring Nature indoor) and has and globe”
lead innumerable projects of Indoor plantation
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NATIONAL AND
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
HIGHLIGHTS
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NATIONAL NEWS
Throwing litter from cars will now attract a fine for the driver
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NATIONAL NEWS
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NATIONAL NEWS
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NATIONAL NEWS
Sharmeen Obaid releases 5th part from ‘Climate Change Animated Series’
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NATIONAL NEWS
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NATIONAL NEWS
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Greta Thunberg nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for climate activism
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CONTENT DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed in the articles and
pictures are those of authors and do not necessarily
reflect or represent the views and opinions held by
Climate Beacon’s Network.
www.climatebn.com
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