Impact Assessment of Global Warming on the Economy of Pakistan From 2010 to 2022 Proposing Policy Recommendations for Future Resilience

Abstract

Global warming is the biggest challenge faced by mankind in the current century. Green House Gases have significantly contributed towards the rising global temperatures. While, all countries of the world are affected by the resulting climate changes, Pakistan faces an existential threat.  Ironically, Pakistan produces less than 1% of global emissions of GHG yet it is facing the extreme brunt of climate changes. As a developing country, Pakistan is predominantly an agrarian economy with 22% sectoral share in GDP of the national economy. Global warming has caused adverse impacts on the economy owing due to a plethora of issues and challenges. These include temperature variance, food insecurity, energy deficiency, agriculture degradation etc. The significant temperature variances caused by global warming have led to severe heatwaves and cold spells in Pakistan. These extreme weather conditions disrupt normal life and threatens the agricultural sector of Pakistan, causing crop failures and food insecurities. Furthermore, the unusual temperature variations have led to rising incidence of vector-borne diseases compromising health security. Additionally, global warming has exacerbated water scarcity issues, leading to conflicts over water resources and posing threats to national security. The agriculture and industrial sectors are grappling with these challenges, facing issues such as changing weather patterns, resource scarcity, and increased operational costs due to the need for climate change mitigation measures. The economic security of the country needs comprehensive investment in climate adaptation and climate resilience measures. All relevant stakeholders must work together to mitigate the adverse impacts of Global Warming and promote sustainable economic development.