Pakistan has suffered an economic loss of approximately $100 billion due to climate change over the last 20 years, an amount nearly equal to the country’s $130 billion external debt. These statistics were shared by experts during the “Environmental Conflict and Social Dialogue in Pakistan” session organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). The session focused on the serious economic and social consequences of climate change for Pakistan.
During the event, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), warned that environmental challenges could soon pose a threat to national security. He emphasized that issues like clean water and air shortages could lead to conflicts. He also highlighted the importance of preserving agricultural land to secure food resources and called for efforts to reduce deforestation.
The experts emphasized that a stable environment is key to social harmony. Professor Dr. Arshi Saleem Hashmi spoke about the broad impact of climate change on society, while environmental activist Imrana Tiwana noted that climate change currently affects 8% of Pakistan’s GDP. This figure could escalate to 30% by 2050 if preventive measures aren’t taken.