Earth’s voice rises, icy peaks that are rapidly melting, wildfire that is spreading the smoke of human sins in the sky, and the sea, which is crossing their boundaries, all witnesses are all witnesses that climate change is no longer afraid of the future, but a serious crisis of the current covenant.
In 2025, the world has entered a new and dangerous period, where climate change has raised basic questions of human existence rather than only research articles or environmental conferences. In the first six months of this year, new temperature records have been set worldwide. The average temperature globally rises by 1.5 degrees Celsius, which touches the dangerous range of climate change (IPCC) for the United Nations’ Inter -Government Report.
In many areas of Europe, America, India, China, Middle East and Africa, this year was hit by a severe heat of 50 to 52 degrees Celsius. During May 2025, more than 1,200 people have died in India alone during May 2025. Wildfire in Canada and Greece transformed thousands of acres of land into ash, while the summer of 2025 in the United States state of California has been declared drought and hottest in history.
The biggest burden of climate change effects is carrying developing countries, which are being severely affected despite having a low stake in global pollution. The example of Pakistan is a living argument. We share only 0.8 % of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions, but are among the first ten countries affected by environmental disasters. According to the Global Climate Risk Risk Index report of the German Wash, Pakistan has faced more than 150 environmental tragedies in the last decade.
In the early months of 2025, the southern part of Pakistan, especially Sindh, southern Punjab and Balochistan faced severe heat and drought. The water level of Indus and Chenab level was dangerously reduced. In large dams such as Tarbela and Mangala, the water level has gone down to a significant extent, which has not only affected agricultural production, but the cities are also facing water and electric crisis.
The agricultural sector, which is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, is badly affected by climate change. Basic crops like cotton, wheat, rice and sugarcane are either preparation ahead of time or failure due to mildew, heat and water scarcity. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that if this trend continues, Pakistan may pose a serious threat to malnutrition in the next five years.
Environmental crisis is not only limited to temperature or water deficiency, but it is having a devastating effect on public health. Heat stroke, malaria, dengue and respiratory diseases are increasing, especially in urban areas where lack of trees, traffic noise, air pollution and population pressure make these problems worse. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 70 million people are killed every year due to polluted air every year, most of them from South Asia.
Some positive steps have been taken at the government level. Programs like “Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Plan”, Clean and Green Pakistan Campaign, and Electric Vehicle Policy reflect eco -friendly vision. Recently, electric buses have been introduced in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi, which is an important step towards green transport. The federal government has also launched a debate on the “Climate Action Bill 2025”, including marks such as carbon EMS, strict rules on industrial pollution and promoting green energy.
However, the implementation of these projects lacks severity, speed and transparency. Many projects are limited to paper only or their implementation is so slow that it can take decades to achieve the result. Effective action is not taken against those who violate environmental laws. Unprecedented use of plastic, industrial waste and urban air pollution is increasing rapidly. This is why many major cities of Pakistan, especially Lahore, are considered one of the most polluted cities in the world in most parts of the year.
Lack of public awareness makes this problem even more complicated. General citizens are neither fully aware of the dangers of climate change, nor are they ready to adopt environmentally friendly habits in their daily lives. Climate education has not yet been seriously included in educational institutions, and there is a continuous lack of media in this regard.
But despite all disappointment, some hopes are still bright. Environmental awareness is awakening among the youth in Pakistan. “Green Club” is being established in various schools, colleges and universities. Eco -friendly campaigns are being launched on social media, and private companies are taking steps to reduce carbon footprints. Installation of renewable energy, such as solar panels and wind turbines, growing, and the tendency to promote environmentally friendly style is gradually increasing.
But all this is incomplete as long as we as a nation, recognizing this issue as our collective responsibility. Educational institutions will not produce environmentally friendly breeds until the citizens are not careful about the use of electricity, water, plastic and natural resources until the ruling class likes the process instead of announcements, then the climate change will be the subject of reports, not the solution.
Therefore, it is time for us that we consider climate change as “challenge”, rather take immediate, permanent and comprehensive steps, seeing it as national, moral and human responsibility. Otherwise, the land, which was once the heaven of our dreams, will be the hell of our negligence tomorrow.