CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change drives extreme weather like floods and heat strokes through intensified
greenhouse effects, where trapped heat disrupts jet streams and amplifies monsoons. Pakistan
faces disproportionate impacts despite low emissions, while COP30 outcomes underscore global
inequities.
Conceptual Foundations
Greenhouse gases (CO2, methane) from fossil fuels raise global temperatures by 1.2°C since pre-
industrial levels, per IPCC AR6, shifting weather patterns: warmer oceans fuel stronger cyclones
and floods, while heat domes cause prolonged heatwaves leading to strokes via dehydration and
organ failure. Pakistan's vulnerability stems from its Indus River dependency (80% water from
glaciers), flat plains prone to flooding, and poverty limiting adaptation—Climate Risk Index
ranks it 8th globally for 2025 impacts.
International Dimensions
Floods: 2024 Pakistan-India border floods displaced 2M, mirroring Brazil's 2024 Rio Grande
deluge (500K affected) linked to La Niña intensification; attribution studies show climate
doubled rainfall intensity. 2025 African Sahel floods killed 1,600 in Sudan/Nigeria due to stalled
fronts.
Heat Strokes: Europe's 2025 summer hit 48°C in Spain, causing 12,000 deaths (Lancet
Countdown); India's 2024 heatwave killed 100+ in Delhi at 49°C. WHO links 37% of heat
deaths to climate change, with urban concrete amplifying effects by 7°C
COP30 (Belem, Brazil, Nov 10-21, 2025): Finalized New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG)
at $300B/year by 2035 for adaptation, but G77/China bloc (incl. Pakistan) deemed it short of
$1.3T needed; Loss & Damage Fund reached $800M pledges, yet disbursements lag. Key:
Article 6 carbon markets formalized for offsets; Pakistan pushed glacier monitoring tech
transfers.
Pakistan-Specific Impacts
Pakistan emits <1% global GHGs but loses $38B/year (8.5% GDP) per 2025 Economic Survey,
with 13,680 glaciers melting 10x faster, risking 40% water scarcity by 2040 (ICIMOD).
Floods: 2022 super-floods (1,739 deaths, 33M affected, $30B damage) were 50% more intense
per WWA; 2025 monsoons (July-Aug) hit Sindh/Punjab hardest—NDMA reports 150 deaths,
1M acres crops lost, 500K homeless amid 30% above-average rains from Arabian Sea warming.
Balochistan flash floods (Sep 2025) killed 60, breaching Taunsa Barrage.
Heat Strokes: 2025 Jacobabad (52.2°C May 30) saw 1,200 cases/300 deaths per PDHS; Sindh
reported 5,000+ admissions, with women/children hit hardest due to power outages disabling
ACs. Heat+crop failure slashed wheat yields 15% (10M tons), per SUPARCO satellite data.
Recent Examples: Dawn (Nov 2025) notes smog post-heatwave raised Lahore AQI to 400,
compounding respiratory risks; Al Jazeera (Sep 2025) covers Gwadar cyclone floods displacing
50K, tied to 2°C ocean heat rise.
Policy Responses
Global: Paris Rulebook enhancements at COP30 mandate NDCs with 50% adaptation focus;
IRENA pushes renewables to 90% by 2050.
Pakistan: NAP 2025 targets 50% emissions cut by 2030 via 30GW solar/wind; Green Pakistan
Initiative planted 1B trees, restored 500K mangroves post-2022 floods. Challenges: $348B
finance gap for NDC 2025; PM's 2025 floods relief fund disbursed PKR 150B, but corruption
probes stalled projects.
Exam Tips
Structure answers: Intro (causes), Body (PK/global examples with data), Conclusion (COP30
solutions). Use diagrams: GHG cycle, flood risk map. Quote: "Pakistan's climate crisis is a
justice issue" (COP29 PM speech).