Climate Crisis Calls for a Copenhagen Plan in Pakistan

The next flood is not a question of if but it’s a question of when. Despite the continuous warnings from international organizations, think tanks and climate research institutes, the government of Pakistan has shown indifferent attitude towards the issue of climate change. Today, the country is among the worst hit by climate-led disasters. This is not a recent development, for decades, Pakistan has been facing floods, droughts, glacier bursts, and heat waves, yet the ruling elites has turned deaf ear to the grievances of the public. The disastrous floods that hit the country in 2022 affected various sectors and caused much destruction, costing billions of dollars.

More than 1,700 people died, with 33 million citizens forced to move out of their homes, and an estimated loss to the economy of $30 billion (World Bank Report, 2023). Yet, the government has continued vague promises. When the storm hits unfortunately the federal and provincial governments are in but when the storm passes, the governments are forgetting their promises.

Recent floods and other disasters have again brought into question Pakistan’s role as one of the most climate-affected countries in the Global Climate Risk Index; yet the critical question remains: why has the government not paid serious attention to climate change?

Whenever disaster strikes, relief packages are announced by the federal and provincial governments, emotional appeals are made, yet these responsibilities seem to have vanished with the water receding.The masses are fed up with the governing structure of the country. In just 48 hours during the floods over 350 people died that number exceeds the number terrorists kill the civilians in the same timeframe.Sadly, we have to say that to some extent, the very negligence of the government has endangered the innocent people of Pakistan more than any external enemies.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was established to offer protection to the country from natural disasters. However, it has failed. Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), cloudbursts, and frequent monsoon spells have ceased to be arcane terms. More than 1,200 members of humanity were swept away by floods within a few days in 2022, while the stupendous task of rescue efforts was mostly borne on the shoulders of villagers, as there was no efficient mechanism of the NDMA to address the catastrophe.

This shows a serious dark hole in governance.Being a downstream dependent upon the rivers flowing from the north places, Pakistan is in the line of extreme vulnerability when it comes to climate variability. In spite of recognizing such an eventuality, the authorities somehow continue to overlook the following bald essentials:No disaster mapping or risk categorization exercise has been carried out. There is either no early warning systems or they are obsolete in the far-off areas. Food, tents, and drugs are in dire need, lacking storage space.

Health units that are truly local and relevant are nonexistent. Neglect has been paid to sustainable forestry alongside flood embankments, putting millions at risk.Yet another concern that bites my insides is the absence of climate discourse in Pakistan’s mainstream media. Just turn on a news channel and the topic of discussion will be which political party is protesting or whether Imran Khan shall get bail or not. Serious discussions on the climate crisis are very rare, despite it acting as a multiplier to agriculture, water, health, migration, and national security.

History teaches us that public discourse shapes the consciousness of a society. There was public discourse to awaken societies before the French Revolution and the American Revolution. The media is still not able to bring climate change, the greatest existential threat to Pakistan into public debate every day. Poor governance and the absence of climate resilient actions from the state in these fragile regions would then further magnify the throes of the climate crisis.

Indeed from the melting of glaciers and untimely rains in Gilgit Baltistan, impacting hazardously local population and the tourism-based economy. In case of any delay, it can jeopardize one of the primary economic and ecological resources of Pakistan.

Pakistan should adopt the Copenhagen Plan for Cloudburst Management, as it incorporates the signs of climate-resilient planning in cities with recent weather disasters and cloudbursts. It changes streets, parks, and other open areas into temporary water channels and retentions when rain becomes that heavy, relieving drainage systems and preventing flooding in urban areas. Copenhagen brings green infrastructure and smart water management to make the climate an opportunity rather than a challenge.

Thus, through these nature-based solutions not only redesign but develop water retention zones for urban landscapes and invest in city’s sustainable drainage networks like those in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, Pakistan can increase depths, save lives, preserve infrastructure, and build resilience over time against climate impacts.We should also make a trained professional civilian disaster management force that fits within a modern equipment and logistic framework.

Investment must be made in innovative digital and satellite-based technologies to provide alerts to far-flung areas before the disaster strikes the communities. House for flood resilience, health units, and warehouses to accommodate emergency supplies should be constructed. There should be nationwide campaigns for reforestation, embankment for rivers, and sustainable agriculture.

Climate dialogue should be at the center of the mainstream agenda and not somehow deserving of political interference. Global partnerships demanding climate justice and financial assistance from international forums as Pakistan less than 1 percent contributes to the global emissions share but pays one of the heaviest prices. Pakistan is standing on the verge of survival. If Government continues in its apathetic, vague promises, and poor management, millions more lives will be thrown into floods, droughts, and heat. Finally, the government must realize that climate change is the most deadly enemy Pakistan faces.

It is not just an environmental issue but it is a threat to national security, economic crisis, and humanitarian emergency.The floods in the country are not merely disaster, they are the alarming bell. Climate change is not waiting for the political stability in Pakistan, it has already arrived.

It is time to stop cosmetic promises and act with importance, professionalism, and long-term vision to face the climate crisis. Otherwise, history will pen that the true enemy of the people of Pakistan was not climate change, but the apathy of their rulers.