Name: Neha Zainab

Roll no: 20i-1708

Accounting & Finance-20

Pakistan studies

Article review: Climate Change as a Non-Traditional Security Threat

The essay delves into the severe effects of climate change in Pakistan, presenting a complete
picture of the country's vulnerability to this non-traditional security challenge. Climate
change, which was originally primarily regarded through an environmental perspective, has
evolved into a complicated issue with much more implications for natural resources,
economies, and human well-being. This paper tries to analyze climate change's many aspects,
highlighting its transition into a significant security problem.

Pakistan is dealing with an increase in the frequency and magnitude of natural disasters as a
result of climate change. Floods, heatwaves, and irregular rainfall patterns have become
frequent, interrupting lives and displacing communities. According to Pakistan's National
Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the country experienced an increase in extreme
weather events, with an average of more than 500 incidents per year between 1980 and 2020,
stressing the importance of addressing climate change as a security issue.

Effects of climate change

Natural resources

Natural resources, which are critical to a country's survival, are under threat from climate
change. Droughts and decreasing rainfall cause water scarcity, putting agricultural
productivity at risk. Water availability per capita has decreased from 5,300 cubic meters in
1947 to roughly 1,000 cubic meters in recent years, according to the Pakistan Economic
Survey 2020-21. Floods contaminate water supplies at the same time, adding to the depletion
of key resources. This complex interaction between climate change and resource depletion
has many consequences for ecosystems and human well-being.

Pakistan’s Economy

The economic consequences of climate change are tremendous, with repercussions spreading
across sectors. Agriculture, the backbone of Pakistan's economy, is facing serious challenges.

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According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2020-21, the agriculture sector declined by 0.4
percent, owing mostly to climate change-related disasters like as floods and irregular rainfall.
Crop failures, livestock losses, and infrastructure damage have serious economic
consequences, affecting livelihoods and worsening poverty. The country's economic fabric is
closely linked to climate-sensitive industries, needing a strong response to maintain long-term
prosperity.

The essay focuses on Pakistan and reveals the country's economy's vulnerability to climate
change. The agriculture industry, which employs a significant section of the population, is
facing serious issues. Climate change, according to the World Bank, could cut Pakistan's
GDP by 5.8 percent by 2100. Changing rainfall patterns and rising temperatures have a direct
impact on crop output, threatening food security. Furthermore, extreme weather events cause
problems on infrastructure, limiting economic progress and increasing existing
socioeconomic inequities. Pakistan suffered economic losses of around $3.8 billion in 2019
as a result of climate-related events, emphasizing the critical need for adaptation and
mitigation initiatives.

Weather changes

It is critical to understand the mechanisms driving climate change in Pakistan. According to

the paper, these changes are the result of fast industrialization, back-to-back floods, droughts,
and severe heatwaves. With an increase in extreme weather occurrences since 2010, Pakistan
is among the top ten countries most affected by climate change. Climate change's natural
origins highlight the importance of comprehensive mitigation and adaptation solutions. The
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) publications emphasize the crucial need
for global cooperation to limit global warming and mitigate its effects.

Problems and challenges

Coordinated actions and effective governance are required to address climate change. The
paper focuses light on issues such as policy coordination, ambiguous objectives, and
insufficient consideration of inequality and gender in environmental governance. The
situation of Pakistan is worsened by its weak financial and material resources. According to
the Global Climate Risk Index 2021, Pakistan ranks seventh among countries most affected
by climate change from 2000 to 2019, highlighting the importance of overcoming governance
issues for effective climate action.

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Plans to deal with climate change

Pakistan's government has laid out plans to mitigate the effects of climate change. The article
outlines key policy objectives such as ensuring water, food, and energy security,
strengthening institutional capacities, safeguarding natural resources, and integrating climate
change policies into national strategies. In 2021, Pakistan will host World Environment Day,
emphasizing the importance of ecosystem restoration. The Ten Billion Tree Tsunami
Program (TBTTP) and the Protected Areas Initiative are both admirable efforts to conserve
the environment. Effective implementation, ongoing assessment, and international
collaboration, on the other hand, are required to assess the success of these plans.

Threats from climate change

An examination of Pakistan's vulnerability to climate change reveals a landscape in which

extreme weather events primarily affect vulnerable populations. The situation of women,
children, people with disabilities, farmers, urban slum dwellers, and migrants is highlighted
in the article. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 70% of
Pakistan's population is at risk of climate-related health impacts, highlighting the critical need
for targeted interventions and policies that address the unique challenges that these groups
face.

Climate change in the coming years

The article delves into climatology to forecast near-term climate change in Pakistan,
expecting an increase in monthly rainfall and temperature changes. The Pakistan
Meteorological Department predicts that the frequency and intensity of extreme weather
events will increase. Rising temperatures and longer hot days pose difficulties for agriculture
and water resources. Pakistan's annual mean temperature is expected to rise by 1.2 to 1.5
degrees Celsius by 2030, according to the State of the Environment Report 2020. Preparing
for these changes necessitates adaptive strategies that take into account the complexities of
Pakistan's climate.

Conclusion

Finally, the article's comprehensive analysis emphasizes that climate change is more than just
an environmental issue; it is a non-traditional security threat with far-reaching implications.
The multifaceted impacts, which range from disrupting natural resources and economies to
making vulnerable populations even more vulnerable, require immediate and collective

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action. Pakistan's mitigation and adaptation plans are admirable, but the complexity of the
challenge necessitates global collaboration to address climate change as a pressing security
concern. As the world struggles to deal with this fundamental shift, it is essential to recognize
climate change as a non-traditional security threat in order to develop effective and inclusive
strategies to protect nations and their people. To confront this common challenge and build a
robust future for all, the international community must work together.