Hasaan Shaikh

Sindh, one of the most important provinces of Pakistan, has a unique geographical position. It is home to the Indus River, fertile agricultural lands, deserts, coastal areas, and large urban centers such as Karachi and Hyderabad. While Sindh plays a vital role in Pakistan’s economy, especially through agriculture, industry, and trade, it also faces serious environmental and weather-related challenges. These problems have grown more intense in recent years due to population growth, climate change, weak planning, and poor environmental management.

Environmental and weather concerns in Sindh affect not only nature but also human health, agriculture, water resources, and economic stability. Floods, droughts, extreme heat, pollution, water scarcity, and coastal degradation are among the most serious issues. Understanding these challenges is essential for finding long-term solutions and ensuring sustainable development in the province.

Geographical Background of Sindh

Sindh is located in the southern part of Pakistan. The Indus River flows through the province from north to south and is the main source of water for agriculture and daily use. Sindh also includes arid regions such as the Thar Desert, fertile plains, and a long coastline along the Arabian Sea.

This diverse geography makes Sindh vulnerable to different types of environmental and weather problems. Riverine areas face floods, desert regions suffer from drought, and coastal areas are threatened by sea intrusion. Because many people depend directly on natural resources for their livelihood, environmental changes have a strong impact on society.

Climate Change and Its Impact on Sindh

Climate change is one of the biggest environmental challenges facing Sindh today. Rising global temperatures have disturbed traditional weather patterns. Summers are becoming hotter, winters shorter, and rainfall more unpredictable.

Climate change has increased the frequency of extreme events such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall, floods, and long dry spells. These changes affect agriculture, water availability, and public health. Poor communities are the most affected because they lack resources to protect themselves from environmental disasters.

Flooding in Sindh

Floods are a recurring problem in Sindh. During the monsoon season, heavy rainfall in upper regions of the Indus River can cause water levels to rise rapidly. When rivers and canals overflow, nearby villages, towns, and farmlands are flooded.

Read: Effects of Climate Change on Sindh Province

Floods cause massive destruction. Crops are washed away, livestock die, homes collapse, and roads and bridges are damaged. Many families are forced to leave their homes and live in temporary shelters. Floods also spread waterborne diseases due to contaminated drinking water.

Poor drainage systems make the situation worse. In cities like Karachi, even light rainfall can cause severe flooding because rainwater has no proper exit.

Drought and Water Scarcity

While floods affect some regions, other parts of Sindh suffer from drought and water shortages. Areas such as Tharparkar and parts of upper Sindh often experience long dry periods.

Water scarcity is caused by low rainfall, poor water management, population growth, and unequal water distribution. Many rural communities struggle to access clean drinking water. Drought reduces crop production, causes livestock deaths, and increases poverty and migration.

Heatwaves and Extreme Temperatures

Sindh is one of the hottest regions in Pakistan. Heatwaves have become more frequent and intense. Cities like Jacobabad and Karachi often record extremely high temperatures.

Heatwaves cause serious health problems such as heatstroke, dehydration, and death. High temperatures also increase electricity demand, leading to load-shedding and water shortages.

Sea Intrusion and Coastal Degradation

Coastal areas of Sindh face sea intrusion due to reduced freshwater flow in the Indus River. Seawater damages fertile land by increasing soil salinity.

Fishing communities suffer because marine life is disturbed. Mangrove forests, which protect coastal areas, are also declining.

Pollution in Sindh

Air pollution from vehicles and industries affects public health, especially in cities. Water pollution from sewage and industrial waste contaminates rivers and canals.

Poor waste management creates unhygienic conditions and blocks drainage systems, increasing flood risks.

Impact on Agriculture and Food Security

Environmental problems directly affect agriculture. Floods, droughts, and heat reduce crop yields and damage farmland.

Soil salinity and waterlogging reduce land fertility, threatening long-term food security.

Impact on Human Health

Environmental issues cause diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, and respiratory problems. Heatwaves and polluted water increase health risks.

Poor communities suffer the most due to limited access to healthcare.

Government and Community Role

The government has introduced climate and disaster policies, but weak implementation limits success. Communities and NGOs help through awareness and relief work.

Environmental and weather concerns in Sindh are serious and long-term. Floods, droughts, heatwaves, pollution, and water scarcity threaten lives and livelihoods. Strong planning, public awareness, and sustainable resource management are essential for a safer future.

Read: Climate Change Effects on Personal Life

____________________________

Hasaan Shaikh is based in Karachi Sindh

Email: shykhhassan596@gmail.com

The post Sindh: Environmental and Weather Concerns first appeared on Sindh Courier.

And I blame myself as well.

For the disappearance of living creatures,

For the pollution of the environment,

For the world overflowing with trash —

Murodova Adolat Ilxomjon qizi, born on October 15, 2008, in the Mirzo Ulugbek district of Tashkent city of Uzbekistan, is a student. She has various interests that she is deeply passionate about, including reading books, writing poems and short stories, and learning English. She enjoys sharing her poems and stories on her Telegram channel.

We All Are Responsible!

We all are responsible for this,

And I blame myself as well.

For the disappearance of living creatures,

For the pollution of the environment,

For the world overflowing with trash —

We are the reason, and I am partly to blame.

I cannot understand people —

Why do they turn killing animals into a hobby?

This is cruelty.

Hurting a living soul is not a hobby,

It is inhumanity.

They even call it hunting.

Please, let us all be kinder now —

To nature, to life, to everything around us.

I do not simply want to write poems,

I just want my ink to be enough.

When a pen or pencil falls into your hand,

You write simply for pleasure.

Finding peace in writing — what beauty it holds,

Writing freely — a symbol of happiness.

My heart finds its comfort this way.

_______________

Read: Erasers – Poetry from Uzbekistan

The post Poetry: We All Are Responsible! first appeared on Sindh Courier.

The Cry of Marine Life: How Humans Pollute the Sea and Endanger Their Existence

Eva Lianou Petropoulou | Greece  

Once a sailor asked a dove, how is it to fly? And the dove answered, you ask me because you are every day at sea and with your strong boat you tear the waves in two. You have a brave crew and you are not afraid of storms… Meanwhile I just fly, sometimes low, sometimes high, but I always meet clouds and planes, nothing exciting. You tell me about your adventures… So said the dove and the sailor, who was the captain of a boat, began to tell about the nights with the full moon and the mermaids crying on the reefs burnt with orange and red coral, to weep for their sisters or for the fortunes of travelers and the stars twinkle merrily high up there in the firmament of heaven.

Years ago there lived a dolphin in the waters of the Atlantic and sang and played with the other dolphins of his tribe, until one day he woke up and nothing was the same as before. Everything changed in his neighborhood, they were found to have plastic bottles and tons of tires in every coral cave, the algae got sick and the dolphins got stuck in the deepest caves. -But what’s going on? The sea became sick, the ocean became infected, the mullets answered him as they also passed by, looking for better and cleaner waters. – The sea got sick, but that doesn’t happen, the sea is a living organism with the power of self-healing, it has iodine and phosphorus and salt, thought the dolphin… deciding to rise to the surface, to go and see up close what exactly happened. As soon as he climbed a little higher, he saw a terrifying sight, plastic bags and bottles were floating, and tires from cars and another pile of garbage. The dolphin started swimming back and forth restlessly and doing somersaults. It’s all true, he said over and over again. The sea became sick and filled with rashes and sores. I have to find a solution, but how can I? I’m small and….. as he thinks he saw the careta careta turtle carelessly swimming around, looking for food. I will ask about this careta careta turtle. She will be able to help me, since she often rises to the surface to give birth to her young, he thought and quickly made hasty movements with his tail, to reach her… – What are you saying, did Thalassa get sick? The loggerhead turtle grimaced as he munched on a seaweed, since when; does he have a high fever? Let’s vacuum her, he replied and continued swimming towards a more fertile ground that also had plankton. – Suction cups, what is that again? These elders talk with incomprehensible words and never explain the inexplicable to us… all their philosophies and then… we, the new generations we are   lost and we don’t know what we should do to find solutions!!!!

Lady Turtle Caretta – Caretta , I don’t want tips or suction cups, i need help….The Sea got sick and filled with rashes, and sores . We need to find a medical help, look around you, and stop chewing.

The loggerhead turtle stopped munching and looked around, facing a macabre sight, with plastic bags on every coral reef and plastic bottles lying on the bottom, and car tires blocking the entrance to  the main door of  homes of  the Smyrna , of the crabs and  the starfish and a  chaos was everywhere.

Those aren’t viruses, the turtle said flatly and continued munching on her seaweed. – Isn’t it a virus? And how you know that, wondered the dolphin – I just know it, and I also know who is responsible for this downfall… Probably the people are responsible!!!

– People?

What is this, swamp fish? Asked the dolphin in wonder – No, they are not swamp fish, people are people.

They are different from us because they can stand and walk with their feet and move outside the water, they breathe and live by eating each other.. but also us , the fishes and other animals, but they don’t know how to hide their garbage, to recycle it, like we do , and  they just through their garbage into the sea. They did that.

I have a bad experience with them, I see how they treat me and my children when I go to the surface to give birth. They are monsters!!!- The dolphin was scared but said determinedly, monsters or dragons, I will go fight them and send them back their garbage. The dolphin said and swam angrily towards an unknown direction.

After months it was heard in the dolphin family that a small gray dolphin was caught in a fisherman’s net and died like a hero. They said it was found, swimming on the surface and very close to coasts and cities.

They said that every night he carried plastic bottles with his snout and left them on the beach, in the morning the people who went to the beach found mountains of plastic bottles and plastic bags waiting for them and they frowned and shouted and made faces and were very annoyed because they couldn’t bathe or sunbathe and they went to the beginning and asked the Municipality to clean up the waste, because some unconscious people threw it on the shore, and it prevents them from sitting comfortably or drinking their coffee, they couldn’t from the stench .

The municipality called the garbage trucks and collected 3 truckloads of plastic, and he didn’t know where to take it, since he himself knew that plastic doesn’t dissolve easily and takes thousands of years to decompose, but wherever he throws it or buries it, it will be harmful to the environment… However the whole story was, he ordered the trucks of waste to be taken to the dump and melted down. . Every night the dolphin continued to carry whatever plastic bag or other plastic he found thrown on the bottom and in the yard of the dolphin’s house.

He also carried bottles and tin cans of soft drinks, he had also found friends, and the caretta-caretta turtle, and a couple of octopuses were coming to help him in this whole business. But no matter how much they emptied the bottom and how much they tried, the next day, they still found empty plastic bottles buried in the sand and mixed with their food. Yesterday, the Whale almost swallowed a soft drink cap and a small plastic spoon, they didn’t know where all this dirt was coming from, until one day, the loggerhead turtle, who was around the world, explained to them that this was garbage of the human and throw all   into all the seas.

All the fish have moved out of their caves and gone to other coral caves to stay. The loggerhead turtle said that the seas have no more plankton and much of the algae has been poisoned. – But we can’t live like this, in uncertainty and misery, said the dolphin angrily. We have to show them, that we are down here living with our families and the sea is getting sicker day by day. – And what should we do? Asked the turtle, they have destroyed everything the forests and the air. They will never stop …now they will destroy the sea.

– Should we act, should we send a message to these people? – But how; the turtle once said. There are many of them and they don’t speak the same language as us. They don’t understand us. – They understand us, insisted the dolphin. There are some of them, the little people who understand us. I feel it. We need to alert the little people to help us. To stop throwing their garbage into our sea. We will find a way. We have to if we want to stay alive and with clean seas. – How are you so sure? Caretta-caretta turtle replied. – Some time ago I traveled with my family to see distant relatives, our dolphin cousins, who live on a piece of land that is washed by the sea. There I had a strange encounter with a small man, I guess, I didn’t know what kind of animal it was, because I didn’t understand his speech and he didn’t come to the sea, only I was approaching the shore… – You’re still alive, you were lucky. People usually kill dolphins and all other fish, either for food or to make fertilizers for their skin. Monsters I tell you, I know them well, who am forced to wait long nights for them to leave, so that I can go lay my eggs and then I quickly run away and leave the unfortunates to their fate… They are all monsters, continued the Caretta turtle.

-I believe in this little man, he didn’t hurt me, nor did he try to imprison me. We played very often and he taught me many tricks too, I will try to find him and give him a message, the dolphin continued his thoughts optimistically.

.If I manage to get to shore again, there will be a way to send him a message. So I’ll tell you, people spend hours at the sea, on days when it’s always sunny. They sit lying down, and sometimes they turn to the right, sometimes to the left, on huge quilts, I often see them, said the turtle-caretta-caretta. It will be your only chance to send them a message, but only to the little people. I will tell you what you will do, you will find a glass bottle, it will surely be there near the coral reefs, you will bring it here and tell the seahorses and the cuttlefish to come to my house.

– But for what reason? He asked the surprised dolphin.-I have an idea, the turtle said meaningfully and continued to chew her seaweed. So it happened, when the sun’s rays were no longer visible, they all gathered in the coral cave of the caretta-caretta turtle. She opened her desk and took two feathers and a piece of paper, she told the cuttlefish to put as much force as she could and blow her ink over the feathers, she began to write and write on this paper and when she had finished folded and put them in the glass bottle that the dolphin holds for them. He turned to the seahorses and told them in a determined voice, now you know what to do.

The sea-horses galloped away with the bottle fastened between them, they swam for some time, until it was daylight when they reached a shore. With an acrobatic figure, they threw the glass bottle towards the shore and it went and got stuck, between some deckchairs, where a family was. A child who was carelessly playing with his buckets a little further, went to collect stones and shells and found the glass bottle. He took it and took it to his grandfather, look what I found, grandfather, a glass bottle with a message inside, it must be a treasure. Grandfather took the bottle, opened the cap and carefully took out the note and read aloud:

Here in this blue land that we inhabit, and you call the sea, we live before you are even born, before you even learn to walk, before you even know what you are?   We not disturb you, you not care.

We demand: Stop throwing your trash here, stop throwing your plastic waste in our yard and poisoning our food. Stop right now!

Signature

The creatures of the sea

Dolphins – whales – sharks

Corals and algae

Read: Nature – Poetry from Greece

_________________

Eva Lianou Petropoulou is an awarded author and poet from Greece with more than 25 years in the literary field, having published more than 15 books. Her poems are translated in more than 20 languages. She is President of creativity and art of Mil Mentes Por Mexico Association, representing Greece; President of Global UHE Peru, Vice President of Cultural Association China, Mexico. She is also the Ambassador of Peace for The Global Nation newspaper Bangladesh; World Ambassador of International Academy of Ethics India.

The post Once upon a time… The Sea first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Massive tree plantation drives should be launched in all the provinces

• Pakistan is a beautiful country gifted with mountains, rivers, forests, wildlife, and fertile lands, but unfortunately, these blessings are now in danger because of our carelessness and lack of awareness
• Environmental clubs should be formed in every school and college. These clubs can organize clean-up drives, awareness walks, and contests to motivate students to take action

Jaweria Arshad | Rawalpindi

I am writing this letter as an 18-year-old student who is deeply worried about the condition of our environment. Every day, when I read the news or scroll through social media, I come across heartbreaking stories about climate change, pollution, and natural disasters. Although these issues are increasing rapidly, many people around us still do not understand how serious the situation has become. Pakistan is a beautiful country gifted with mountains, rivers, forests, and fertile lands, but unfortunately, these blessings are now in danger because of our carelessness and lack of awareness. As a young student, I feel it is my responsibility to raise my voice and encourage others to take action.

Pakistan has always been known for its natural landscapes, from the snowy peaks of the north to the peaceful coastal areas in the south. Our forests, deserts, lakes, and rivers give life to countless plants, animals, and human beings. However, due to harmful human activities such as cutting trees, burning waste, spreading pollution, and ignoring environmental laws, our natural beauty is disappearing rapidly. If we continue damaging our environment at this pace, the future of our country will be at serious risk.

One of the biggest environmental problems we face is deforestation. Trees are being cut down much faster than they are being planted. When forests disappear, birds, animals, and even insects lose their homes. Soil becomes weak, causing landslides, and the air becomes more polluted because there are fewer trees to absorb carbon dioxide. Pakistan has already faced major disasters due to environmental negligence. The floods of 2010 were one of the worst in our history, affecting millions of families, destroying homes, crops, and livestock. Experts say that if deforestation continues, such disasters will become even more frequent and more dangerous.

Air pollution is another major threat. In cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Faisalabad, smog has become a normal part of winter. Many people, especially children and students, suffer from cough, asthma, headaches, and eye irritation during smog season. Vehicle emissions, industrial smoke, burning garbage, and using low-quality fuel are some of the main reasons behind this problem. According to international reports, Pakistan is among the top polluted countries in the world. It is sad to see that even the air we breathe has become harmful for our health.

Climate change is also affecting Pakistan in many ways. The weather has become unpredictable. Summers are getting hotter, winters are shorter, and rainfall patterns have changed completely. Farmers who depend on crops are facing huge losses because the weather no longer supports traditional farming methods. Scientists warn that by 2050, major crops like wheat could decrease by almost half, which means our country may face serious food shortages. Water scarcity is also becoming a growing problem because glaciers are melting and rainfall is irregular. If we do not act now, the next generations will struggle to find clean water, healthy food, and safe living conditions.

To save Green Pakistan, we need strong and immediate action. The government must strictly punish illegal tree cutting and encourage large-scale plantation campaigns. Projects similar to the Billion Tree Tsunami should be introduced in all provinces so that forests can grow again and wildlife can return. Clean and safe energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro power should be promoted so that we can reduce pollution. Public transport should be improved so that fewer people rely on private vehicles, which will lower carbon emissions.

Read: Pakistan loses 11,000 hectares of forest annually

Climate-resilient buildings, stronger drainage systems, and flood protection walls must be built to prevent damage during natural disasters. Farmers should be trained in modern climate-smart farming so that they can grow crops even when weather conditions are unstable.

Awareness is the most important step. Schools and colleges should teach students about environmental protection through campaigns, tree plantation drives, cleanliness competitions, and awareness walks. Young people must understand that even small actions like planting a tree, saving water, reducing waste, and avoiding plastic can make a big difference.

Another important step to save our environment is proper waste management. In Pakistan, most people throw garbage on streets, in rivers, or burn it openly, which releases harmful chemicals into the air. Our cities lack proper recycling systems, and many people do not know the difference between recyclable and non-recyclable waste. To protect our environment, recycling plants should be established in all major cities, and awareness campaigns should teach citizens how to separate plastic, paper, glass, and organic waste. If waste is managed properly, pollution will decrease and our cities will become cleaner and healthier places to live.

Water wastage is another issue that needs immediate attention. Many people leave taps running, wash vehicles with excessive water, and use clean drinking water carelessly. Pakistan is already facing water scarcity, and experts warn that if we continue wasting water, our country may face a severe water crisis in the future. Students like me can help by encouraging families and friends to save water, fix leaks, and reuse rainwater for gardening and cleaning.

Another important point is the protection of wildlife. Many species in Pakistan are becoming endangered because their habitats are being destroyed. Illegal hunting and poaching also harm animals like snow leopards, ibex, and sea turtles. Strict laws should be implemented to protect wildlife, and special protected areas should be created where animals can live safely without human interference.

Environmental clubs should be formed in every school and college. These clubs can organize clean-up drives, awareness walks, and contests to motivate students to take action. Young people are the future of this country, and if we learn to respect nature today, we can save Pakistan’s environment tomorrow.

In the end, I want to say that Pakistan can still be saved if we work together. Every citizen must play their role, whether it is planting a tree, reducing pollution, saving water, or spreading awareness. Our environment is a gift, and we must protect it with responsibility and love.

Read: Pakistan’s Owls Face Population Decline

_____________________

Jaweria Arshad is a law student, based in Chaklala, Rawalpindi Punjab

The post Save the Nature, Save Pakistan first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By Fahmida Rashid

Plastic, once hailed as a revolutionary invention due to its durability and versatility, has now become one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems. Over the last few decades, the production and consumption of plastic have skyrocketed, resulting in a massive accumulation of plastic waste. This waste is now found in every corner of the planet — from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains — posing a significant threat to the environment, wildlife, and human health.

The Problem with Plastic Waste

Every year, the world produces over 300 million tons of plastic, with a significant portion designed for single use. Items like plastic bags, bottles, straws, and packaging materials are used briefly and then discarded. Unfortunately, plastic does not decompose easily. It can take hundreds of years to break down, and even then, it only degrades into smaller pieces called microplastics, which can contaminate soil and water.

Plastic waste is not just an eyesore; it has devastating effects on marine life and ecosystems. Sea turtles, fish, and seabirds often mistake plastic for food, leading to injury or death. Furthermore, plastic waste clogs waterways, contributes to flooding, and creates breeding grounds for disease-carrying pests.

The Role of Recycling

Recycling is one of the most effective ways to reduce plastic waste. It involves collecting used plastic, processing it, and converting it into new products. This not only diverts waste from landfills and the natural environment but also conserves energy and resources needed to produce new plastic.

However, global recycling rates remain low. According to estimates, only about 9% of plastic waste ever produced has been recycled. The reasons include inadequate recycling infrastructure, contamination of recyclable materials, and the high cost of recycling certain types of plastic.

To improve recycling, governments, industries, and individuals must work together. Governments can implement policies that encourage recycling and penalize excessive plastic use. Industries can invest in sustainable packaging and design products that are easier to recycle. Consumers can contribute by separating waste properly, reducing single-use plastics, and supporting products made from recycled materials.

Innovative Solutions and the Future

In recent years, there has been a surge in innovative solutions to tackle plastic waste. Biodegradable plastics, made from natural materials like corn starch, are being developed as alternatives. Companies are exploring closed-loop recycling systems, where products are continuously reused. Some countries are even turning plastic waste into roads, bricks, and fuel.

Education and awareness are also key. Teaching people about the impact of plastic pollution and the importance of recycling can drive behavioral change on a large scale.

Read: 55% of the waste collected in Pakistan is plastic

_________________

Fahmida Rashid is a student of M.Phil. at Media Studies Department, Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) Karachi, Sindh

The post Plastic Waste: A Global Concern first appeared on Sindh Courier.

New York

Fast fashion is accelerating an environmental catastrophe, with the equivalent of one garbage truck’s worth of clothing either incinerated or sent to landfill every second, the UN chief warned on Thursday.

Speaking at an event commemorating Sunday’s International Day of Zero Waste, Secretary-General António Guterres called for urgent action to curb the textile industry’s devastating impact on the planet.

“Dressing to kill could kill the planet,” he stressed.

The fashion industry is one of the world’s most polluting sectors, responsible for up to eight per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

It consumes vast amounts of water – 215 trillion liters annually, equivalent to 86 million Olympic-sized swimming pools – and relies on thousands of chemicals, many of them harmful to human health and ecosystems.

Read: UN launches drive to highlight environmental cost of staying fashionable

Despite these staggering figures, clothing is being produced and discarded at an unprecedented rate, driven by business models that prioritize speed and disposability over sustainability.

A crisis woven into our clothes

Mr. Guterres cautioned that the waste crisis in fashion is only a symptom of a much larger global problem.

Humans globally generate more than two billion tons of waste each year – enough to wrap around the planet 25 times if packed into standard shipping containers – polluting land, air and water, disproportionately affecting the poorest communities.

“The rich world is flooding the Global South with garbage, from obsolete computers to single-use plastics,” he said.

Many countries lack the infrastructure to process even a fraction of what is dumped on their shores, leading to increased pollution and hazardous working conditions for waste pickers.

This year’s focus: Fashion

Fashion is under the spotlight for this year’s international day, underscoring staggering resource consumption and pollution levels. It is an industry where trends change rapidly, garments are often discarded after being worn a handful of times.

Experts estimate that doubling the lifespan of clothing could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44 per cent.

However, it is also an industry with exciting opportunities to transform lives and livelihoods for the better.

“Designers are experimenting with recycled materials. Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainability. In many countries, resale markets are booming,” Mr. Guterres said, urging everyone to contribute to the fight against waste.

Shun greenwashing

Governments, he said, must enact policies and regulations that promote sustainability and zero-waste initiatives.

Businesses must move beyond “greenwashing” and take real steps to reduce waste, increase circularity, and improve resource efficiency across supply chains.

Consumers, in turn, can play a crucial role by making environmentally responsible choices – valuing durable products, reducing excessive consumption, and embracing resale markets.

It takes around 7,500 liters of water to make a single pair of jeans, equivalent to the amount of water the average person drinks over a period of seven years.

“There is no space for greenwashing,” he emphasized. “Businesses must increase circularity, waste reduction, and resource efficiency across their supply chains.”

Beyond the fashion industry, the broader fight against waste requires global coordination, he added.

More than a billion people live in slums or informal settlements without proper waste management, leading to severe health risks. Unregulated dumping and poor waste disposal practices are exacerbating pollution and biodiversity loss worldwide.

“Let us commit to do our part to clean up our act, and build a healthier, more sustainable world for us all,” Mr. Guterres concluded.

Read: Junk the Junk: Rethinking Vehicles & E-Waste for a Greener Future

_____________________________

Courtesy: UN News (Posted on March 27, 2025)

The post Fast fashion fuelling global waste crisis first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Sumaiya Khanzada

The water is a fundamental and essential requirement for human life on Earth. Water not only fulfills the basic needs of humans, but also plays a crucial role in agriculture and other sectors. Through the marine resources, it contributes to the global economy and provides people with various professions. The rivers and oceans are the largest ecosystem in the world, regulating the environment and protecting the climate. Not only this, but we also obtain 40% of the oxygen from the ocean, which is a vital component for our life. It also absorbs 20% of the annual CO2, helping to protect our environment. We cannot even imagine life without the ocean; it is a great blessing from Allah.

However, irresponsible human behavior is severely damaging this blessing. According to UN research, nearly 8 million to 10 tons of plastic are found in the ocean alone every year, which is deteriorating the environment. Plastic waste makes up 80% of all marine pollution. Research states that, by 2050, plastic will likely outweigh all fish in the sea. In the last ten years, we have produced more plastic products than in the previous century.

Read: Ocean plastic pollution an overview: data and statistics

Plastic pollution damages marine life and threatens human health. Many diseases that were once rare are now becoming more common, and they are having a severe impact on human health. Not only this, but the marine animals also inhale an extra 40% of CO2 annually, which is harmful to their health and affects their well-being, leading to their death. As a result, the fish trade is decreasing, and it is impacting the economy. If this continues, we will gradually be deprived of this blessing, and human life on Earth will become increasingly difficult.

To protect our planet from this hardship and make life easier, we need to adopt certain actions to protect it.

Read: Pollution of ocean: Causes, Effects and Prevention

Reduce the use of plastic: We should minimize the use of plastic in our lives as much as possible.

Recycle garbage: We need to recycle and use waste, and organize campaigns and sessions to raise awareness among people, along with implementing policies.

If we follow these strategies, we can create a healthier planet for future generations and ensure it is protected for them.

____________

Sumaiya Khanzada is undergraduate student at department of anthropology and archaeology, University of Sindh Jamshoro

The post Save the Ocean, Save the Life first appeared on Sindh Courier.

• Pakistan plans to convene a regional climate conference next month with India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and others, official tells
• Along with regional cooperation, Pakistan needs immediate long- and short-term measures, including changes to fossil fuel consumption, say environmentalists

Aamir Latif

Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

Large swaths of northeastern and northwestern Pakistan are currently choking with pollution-fueled smog, triggering a surge in respiratory diseases and forcing the government to take desperate measures such as shuttering schools, parks, and other public venues.

Warnings abound of further deterioration in air quality in the coming years, particularly if authorities fail to come up with a serious strategy for immediate and sustainable steps.

Along with the Indian capital New Delhi, Pakistan’s second-largest city Lahore, and various other districts of the northeastern Punjab province have been dominating the list of the world’s most polluted cities for several years now, with their air quality crossing all possible levels of danger.

Satellite images released by NASA earlier this month showed Punjab, and particularly the provincial capital Lahore, cloaked in a toxic haze that extended to India’s northern regions and New Delhi.

Read: As winter sets in, deadly smog chokes Pakistan

Lahore – home to over 14 million people – had an air quality index of above 1,900, a record high, earlier this month. Any reading more than 300 is considered hazardous, while the acceptable range is 0 to 50.

Hundreds of people are facing health issues such as sore throats and itchy eyes, with doctors and authorities advising public to stay indoors as much as possible.

Air pollution claims an estimated 128,000 lives in Pakistan every year, according to Fair Finance Pakistan, a non-government body working to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

UNICEF also issued a recent warning for Pakistan, saying more than 11 million children under age 5 are exposed to smog in Punjab.

“Unfortunately, environmental issues like smog have reached a point where they cannot be addressed overnight. Pakistan now needs a serious approach to deal with this ever-worsening problem,” said Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, an environmentalist based in the capital Islamabad.

Read: Worsening air quality puts 11M children under 5 in peril in Punjab, warns UN

Imrana Tiwana, another environment expert in Lahore, warned that Pakistan is simply not ready to face all the humanitarian crises emerging because of climate change. Her remarks referred to regular droughts, heat waves, unseasonal rains and floods that have become ever more frequent in the South Asian country over the past few decades.

Smog, she added, was restricted to just Lahore up until a decade ago, but it has now crossed the borders of Punjab and entered the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.

Need for immediate measures

Speaking to Anadolu, Sheikh emphasized the urgent need for both long- and short-term measures, including decarbonization of the economy in accordance with the Paris Agreement, increasing public transportation in big cities, and conversion of two-stroke and three-stroke vehicles into battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

The Paris Agreement, which entered into force in 2016, is a legally binding international treaty that aims to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and boost adaptation to climate change.

As a short-term step, there can be an additional weekly day off or arrangements for working from home, he said.

Only public transport could be allowed on that day to reduce vehicular emissions, which make up more than 80% of the air pollution in Lahore, he added.

Of this 80%, emissions from two-stroke vehicles account for 69%, according to the Punjab Environmental Protection Department.

Part of the smog crisis, according to Sheikh, can be put down to Pakistan’s “avid” dependence on fossil fuels, and that too low-quality fossil fuels, said Shaikh.

“We have poor micro-standards, micro-testing, and fitness testing systems. Otherwise, the same quantity of fossil fuel in better environmental governance will not have as adverse an impact as we have in Pakistan,” he said.

Regional cooperation

Pakistan blames the increasing smog on winds from neighboring India, mainly due to stubble burning by farmers in India’s Punjab province.

“Stubble burning is the biggest problem that we’ve been facing in winter,” Raja Jahangir Anwar, environment secretary for Punjab, told Anadolu.

He said unilateral measures to curb the practice will not work, stressing the importance of a joint and collaborative approach.

However, environmentalist Sheikh dismissed what he views as a “wrong narrative” being pushed by both Indian and Pakistani authorities.

“Farmers only burn stubble because they want to increase their income by growing vegetables between the two major cropping seasons,” he explained.

“Instead of blaming them, we need to work on providing them technologies that can help them grow a third crop.”

To this, Anwar said the Punjab government is already providing subsidies to farmers for machinery that will help avoid burning stubble.

Environment specialist Tiwana also emphasized that climate change-induced smog is no longer a local issue in Pakistan.

“It’s a regional problem and requires a regional approach to be addressed properly,” she told Anadolu.

The worsening situation has already led to Pakistani Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz calling for “climate diplomacy” with India.

The process to engage with India, according to Anwar, has been initiated through the Foreign Ministry, and an official letter will soon be sent to New Delhi.

Pakistan plans to convene a regional climate conference next month, involving India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and other countries, to chalk out a joint strategy, he said.

Read: Punjab gov’t sends schoolchildren on holidays as air quality worsens

Despite frosty relations between the two nuclear rivals, Anwar remains optimistic about the chances of successful diplomatic outreach.

“The two sides have no other choice because the wind does not care about borders,” he said.

In addition to stubble burning, New Delhi and Lahore also share a burden of urban pollution, he added.

“This has to be long-term diplomacy that continues for decades. There will be ups and downs, but I am sure it will succeed, as there is no other option,” said Anwar.

_____________________

Aamir Latif is a Karachi-based senior journalist. He represents Anadolu, a Turkish news agency.

Courtesy: Anadolu Agency (Posted on 19.11.2024)

The post Pakistan’s smog crisis: What can be done and how? first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By Aisha Khan

As we commemorate World Environment Day, it is imperative to acknowledge the devastating impact of human activities on the planet. The Industrial Revolution, sparked by scientific innovations and a growing desire for luxury after 1800, has led to unprecedented environmental degradation. William J. Berenston’s book “The Birth of Plenty” highlights the transformative power of human ingenuity, but also underscores the devastating consequences of unchecked industrialization.

Climate change, a direct result of human activities, has led to a 1.1-degree Celsius increase in global temperatures. This seemingly small increment has far-reaching consequences, including extreme weather events, melting glaciers, and unprecedented destruction. The effects of climate change are multifaceted and devastating, impacting human lives, ecosystems, and the planet’s biodiversity.

In 2018, a heatwave in Australia killed 10,000 bats, while the 2022 floods in Pakistan claimed 1,739 human lives and caused significant economic losses. Wildfires in Canada have broken records, and a three-year drought in African countries has led to malnutrition and loss of life. These events are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a larger crisis – environmental degradation.

Reduce plastic usage and opt for eco-friendly alternatives like cloth or paper bags

The consequences of environmental degradation are far-reaching and devastating. Rising temperatures are altering ecosystems, leading to the loss of biodiversity and the extinction of species. The melting of glaciers and polar ice caps threatens the world’s water supply, while extreme weather events devastate communities and economies. If we fail to act, future generations will inherit a world plagued by hardship and suffering.

To mitigate climate change, several measures can be taken, like:

• Reduce plastic usage and opt for eco-friendly alternatives like cloth or paper bags. The United Nations reports that only a small percentage of the 400 million tons of plastic produced annually is recycled.
• Improve ventilation in homes to reduce reliance on air conditioning and promote fresh air. This simple step can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Invest in afforestation efforts, like planting plenty of trees, to combat deforestation and environmental degradation. Trees are a vital carbon sink, and their destruction exacerbates climate change.
• Transition to renewable energy sources like solar, biomass, wind, and water instead of fossil fuels. This shift is crucial to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.
• Implement effective waste management systems to reduce pollution. Proper disposal and recycling of waste can significantly reduce environmental degradation.
• Promote electric vehicles for public transport to reduce air pollution and noise pollution. This shift can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve urban air quality.
• Adopt a balanced diet with a focus on plant-based protein sources to reduce harmful gas emissions from meat production. Animal agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and a shift towards plant-based diets can mitigate this impact.

Individual and collective action is crucial to combat climate change

Individual and collective action is crucial to combat climate change. Governments, corporations, and individuals must work together to ensure a sustainable future for all. We must recognize the intrinsic value of the environment and adopt a holistic approach to development, balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.

As we commemorate World Environment Day, let us acknowledge the devastating consequences of environmental degradation and the urgent need for action. We owe it to ourselves, future generations, and the planet to act decisively and work towards a sustainable future. The time for action is now.

Read: Addressing Environmental Challenges and Denial of Justice

_________________

The author is based in Hyderabad Sindh and holds a BS in English Linguistics from the University of Sindh Jamshoro, Sindh. She is focused on preparing for competitive exams and aspires to be a CSP. She is an emerging writer with some of the essays and a few poems on her credit. As a serious reader, she keeps exploring various genres of a wide range of English and Urdu literature writers.

The post Devastating Consequences of Environmental Degradation and the Urgent Need for Action first appeared on Sindh Courier.

– Lahore, Pakistan’s cultural hub, was the fifth-most polluted city in the world, according to Swiss monitor IQAir

– Pakistan’s air pollution crisis reflects institutional failure in checking issues such as industrial and vehicular emissions, deforestation and unplanned urbanization, say experts

Aamir Latif 

KARACHI, Sindh, Pakistan

Pakistan has been ranked second in the latest list of countries with the worst air quality, an outcome that environmentalists say illustrates a sorry tale of negligence and governmental failures.

Bangladesh, Pakistan and India were the world’s three smoggiest countries in 2023, according to a recent report by Swiss monitor IQAir, painting a bleak picture for South Asia in terms of air quality.

In Pakistan, average concentrations of PM2.5 – airborne particles known to cause lung damage – reached 73.7 micrograms, increasing from 70.9 and remaining exponentially higher than the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 5 micrograms.

Bangladesh stood at 79.9 micrograms, while India was third with 54.4 micrograms.

Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city and cultural hub, was the fifth-most polluted city in 2023, following India’s Begusarai, Guwahati, Delhi and Mullanpur.

Other major Pakistani cities with dismal air quality were Faisalabad, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Karachi and Islamabad, which jumped from 17th to 9th in the list of the world’s most polluted capitals.

Among the major factors are climate change, industrial and vehicular emissions, increasing solid waste generation, deforestation, unplanned urbanization, and a population influx towards big cities, according to environmentalists.

Hamid Sarfraz, an Islamabad-based environmentalist, views the situation as a result of chronic “institutional and behavioral failures.”

“It’s a multidimensional problem, which requires capacity-building and political will to implement environment-related laws. Both of these, unfortunately, have been lacking,” he told Anadolu.

There are existing laws that cover almost all the major drivers of air pollution in Pakistan, but government agencies simply lack the capacity for implementation, he said.

“The first is foremost requirement is more human resources and equipment for environmental protection agencies. Second, there has to be coordination at an institutional level between different government departments,” he said.

Citing an example, he said traffic police usually do not take action against smoke-emitting vehicles, which remain a major source of pollution in big cities, while environmental protection agencies do not have the capacity to address the issue.

“So, if these two departments collaborate, we can really cut down vehicular emissions,” he added.

Go green

Calculations by the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative, based on latest data, show that hazardous air quality is reducing life expectancy in the country by 4.4 years.

Last August, a report by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute warned that increasing air pollution could cut life expectancy of residents of Lahore, Peshawar, Kasur and Sheikhupura by at least seven years.

For Shabina Faraz, a Karachi-based analyst focusing on environmental issues, the country’s “hellish” public transport system remains one of the worst contributors to the problem.

“Transport and industrial emissions are a leading cause. We’re seeing industries, especially export-oriented sectors, starting to take some steps, but there is still no sign of improvement when it comes to vehicular emissions,” she told Anadolu.

As a short-term measure, she suggested, the government should focus on “green public transport systems” in major cities to reduce the number of vehicles, especially the “uncountable” number of motorbikes.

In the long-term, the only way to go is “smart sustainable cities,” she added.

Regarding the issue of solid waste management, she stressed the need for proper landfill sites.

“Pakistan’s solid waste generation is less than developed countries, but it is severely lagging in terms of capacity to treat this waste,” she said.

Backing her views, Sarfraz said authorities must also focus on reducing industrial waste, suggesting tax concessions as a potentially useful incentive.

Forests, agricultural land lost to housing

A mounting housing crunch is rapidly devouring Pakistan’s forests and agricultural lands, which experts warn will have cascading effects on the environment and the country’s food security.

There is a rush of construction in major and small cities, with the greatest casualty almost always being forests, trees and green spaces.

Pakistan’s total area under forest cover is less than 5%, with a further 1.5% of these forests being lost every year, according to official figures.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has recently announced an ambitious “Green Pakistan Initiative” aimed at improving dwindling forest cover, but its impact will only materialize in years to come.

The housing needs of Pakistan’s burgeoning population – officially just short of 242 million – have already turned large swaths of land in big and small cities into concrete jungles, particularly the northeastern Punjab and southern Sindh provinces, considered the country’s two main breadbaskets.

Real estate developers have taken farmlands from thousands of farmers, leaving big cities like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad brimming with and encircled by concrete structures.

Around 20-30% of fertile land in Punjab, which meets 65% of Pakistan’s total food needs, has been converted to use for industry or housing, according to Shaukat Ali Chadhar, president of the Kisan Board of Pakistan, an agricultural advisory and research organization.

In Lahore alone, 70% of agricultural land has been converted to housing and industrial units, followed by Gujrat at 60%, he said.

In other agriculture districts in central Punjab, such as Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura and Kasur, 30-40% of fertile land has been sold to property developers and industrialists, he added.

The land-holding ratio, Chadhar said, is still satisfactory in southern Punjab and northern parts of Sindh, which together currently produce more than half of Pakistan’s wheat, sugarcane and cotton.

Read: Sindh launches sparrow count as bird’s population dwindles

_________________________

Aamir Latif is a senior journalist based in Karachi. He represents Anadolu, a Turkish news agency.

Courtesy: Anadolu Agency (Posted on 18.04.2024)

The post Pakistan ranks second among countries with worst air quality first appeared on Sindh Courier.