Question

Discuss how compared to 30-40 years ago, climate change has become an important plank of a state’s public and security policies. What implications would this have for a state’s socio-economic priorities? Discuss whether this has factored into Pakistan’s governance policies, and if so, in what way?

Please answer in detail.

Answer 1

Climate change has become the most important concern for economies across the world. This is because the carbon dioxide emissions have been growing steadily over the past 30 years. It was seen to have increased by at least a 10 percent over the last decade. The carbon dioxide concentrations are also increasing over the years in this decade. If these trends continue, then the future will see warmer temperatures, higher sea levels as well as acidic oceans. Climate change can have various impacts on the economic conditions of the economy itself as climate change pushes many into deeper poverty levels as there is no possibility of sustainable development. Many economists also believe that the climate change can increase the income inequalities between countries. Since only the individuals cannot reverse the impact of climate change, there is a need for the governments to take a more active role in this process. Also there is uncertainty involved because we do not know the magnitude of the effect of the present action on the future.

Pakistan was said to be the seventh most vulnerable country to climate change. Pakistan has seen over 150 incidents relates to weather disturbances due to climate change. The Pakistan government has been criticised for not giving enough attention to climate change. Delegates in a conference have also said that Pakistani government has been decreasing instead of increasing their allocation toward climate change. But with more initiatives like 'Say No to Plastics', that government has implemented, they could possibly reverse the impact of climate change.