Causes of Global Warming in Pakistan:

1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

 Pakistan's energy sector heavily relies on fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas,
contributing to significant carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
 Industrial processes and transportation are major sources of greenhouse gas
emissions.
Today, we collectively emit around 50 billion tonnes of CO2
each year.

FOR CLIMATE ACTION Pakistan, although only

contributing 0.9% to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is
one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate
change.
2. Deforestation:
 Widespread deforestation and land degradation reduce the capacity of forests to
absorb CO2.
 Urbanization and infrastructure development lead to tree cutting and land-use
changes.
To put this into perspective, it’s estimated that we lose more than 15.3
billion trees each year to deforestation.

This translates to a scary loss of more than 8 million hectares of

forested land. Which is the size of Italy.


3. Agriculture Practices:
 Agricultural activities, including rice cultivation and livestock farming, produce
methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas.
 Use of synthetic fertilizers in agriculture also contributes to nitrous oxide (N2O)
emissions.
4. Glacial Melt:
5. Melting glaciers in the Himalayan region, including the Karakoram Range, are linked to
global temperature rise, affecting water availability in Pakistan.
Pakistan boasts over 7,000 glaciers, one of the highest totals for any country on Earth.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), by 2018, over
3,000 lakes had formed due to melting glaciers in the Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa regions of Pakistan.
6. Air Pollution:
 High levels of air pollution in cities like Lahore and Karachi contribute to local
warming trends.

Effects of Global Warming in Pakistan:

1. Changing Weather Patterns:

 Increased temperatures result in more frequent and severe heatwaves.
 Altered precipitation patterns lead to irregular monsoons and increased droughts
or floods.
2. Glacial Retreat:
 Melting glaciers threaten the stability of freshwater resources and can lead to
water scarcity in the long term.
3. Sea Level Rise:
 Rising sea levels pose a threat to Pakistan's coastal areas, including Karachi,
leading to saltwater intrusion and erosion.
4. Agricultural Impact:
 Erratic weather patterns disrupt crop cycles, affecting food security.
 Increased temperatures can lead to reduced crop yields.
5. Health Risks:
 Heatwaves and changing climate patterns can lead to heat-related illnesses and
the spread of vector-borne diseases.
6. Water Scarcity:
 Irregular monsoons and glacial melt impact river flows and can lead to water
scarcity, affecting agriculture and drinking water supply.

Current Statistics

Current Statistics (as of September 2021):

 Pakistan's greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at approximately 405 million

metric tons of CO2 equivalent in 2017.
 The country has experienced an average annual temperature increase of 0.5°C over the
past century.
 Glaciers in Pakistan's northern regions have been retreating at an alarming rate, with
some losing up to 50% of their mass in recent decades.
 Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, has experienced increased temperatures and heatwaves,
with a record temperature of 49.2°C (120.6°F) recorded in April 2021.