By Fatima Dilshad

Significant and protracted changes in the Earth’s climatic patterns, such as variations in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other atmospheric parameters, are referred to as climate change. Human activity is the main cause of these changes, especially the release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), which trap heat in the atmosphere of the Earth and cause global warming.

Lahore’s Climate Vulnerability

Lahore, a bustling metropolis in Pakistan, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change because of its location, population density, and socioeconomic makeup. The city’s infrastructure, environment, and inhabitants have all been impacted by rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and a rise in extreme weather events.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), research institutes, international organizations such as the UNDP, IPCC, and World Bank, and non-governmental organizations that focus on environmental matters or climate resilience are among the entities that gather and evaluate climate data. These organizations disseminate studies, statistics, and analyses on climate risk in Lahore, which are then utilized for regional or worldwide evaluations by universities, research centers, and international organizations. NGOs are also involved in the research and data gathering related to climate vulnerability.

Extreme Temperature in Lahore

The semi-arid climatic zone of Lahore, Pakistan, poses serious health threats to the metropolis. The city regularly has extended heatwaves in the summer, with temperatures rising beyond 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), which increases the risk of heat-related diseases and even death. The urban heat island effect, which causes the city to experience greater temperatures than the surrounding rural regions, is exacerbated by Lahore’s fast urbanization and abundance of concrete surfaces. This can make heat waves more intense and prolonged, especially in crowded metropolitan areas with little green space. Severe heatwaves in Lahore can exacerbate pre-existing medical issues, cause heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and dehydrate people, especially the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic diseases.

Lahore’s energy system may be strained by extreme heat, resulting in blackouts or power outages. This may make the discomfort and health hazards of high temperatures worse. Lahore may adopt adaptation and mitigation tactics including expanding green areas, enhancing accessibility to cooling centers, putting heat action plans into effect, and encouraging energy-efficient building and urban planning techniques to solve these issues. The goal of these actions is to increase the city’s capacity to withstand and adjust to intense heat.

Water stress and Changing rainfall patterns

Lahore is facing challenges related to altered rainfall patterns, population expansion, industrialization, and agricultural needs, which are causing water stress. Among the problems leading to water stress include uneven distribution, contamination of surface waters, and depletion of groundwater. Rainfall patterns are changing due to climate change, which results in greater unpredictability, changes in timing and intensity, and the consequences of urbanization. Water availability for irrigation and agricultural cycles are impacted by these changes. Water shortages and shifting rainfall patterns are further issues facing agriculture. Reduced agricultural yields due to irregular rainfall and water shortages can affect livelihoods and food security. Farmers would have to adjust by planting crops resistant to drought or using water-saving irrigation methods. Rainwater collection, sustainable water management, and water conservation are examples of adaptation techniques. While rainwater harvesting systems may collect and use rainfall for irrigation and groundwater recharge, water conservation technologies and practices can lessen water stress. Water quality may be raised by using sustainable water management techniques including river basin planning and watershed management.

A comprehensive strategy including community involvement, sustainable urban design, and climate-resilient water management techniques is required to solve these issues. Effective adaptation plans require cooperation between government agencies, researchers, civil society organizations, and local people.

Urbanisation and deforestation

The second biggest city in Pakistan, Lahore, is experiencing severe environmental problems as a result of increasing urbanization and deforestation. Increased pollution, biodiversity loss, encroachment on natural areas, and land degradation are all results of rapid urbanization. The provision of essential services like waste management, sanitation, and water is hampered by urban development and informal settlements, which put local’s health and environment at risk. Another major environmental issue in Lahore is deforestation, which is a result of growing agriculture, urbanization, and wood exploitation. In addition to reducing biodiversity and upsetting ecosystems, the conversion of forests into agricultural land, urban areas, and infrastructure projects also exacerbates soil erosion and degradation. Additionally, when forests lose their ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, global warming and climate change are exacerbated. Urbanization and deforestation increase greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, lowering carbon sinks and exacerbating climate change. GHG emissions are a result of the concentration of industrial activity, energy use, and vehicle emissions in urban areas. Deforestation increases atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and contributes to the greenhouse effect by reducing the ability of trees to sequester carbon dioxide.

Policy interventions, conservation programs, and sustainable land-use planning are required to solve these issues. Encouraging parks, green infrastructure, and urban forestry may improve city livability while reducing negative environmental effects. Urban expansion may be controlled while protecting natural resources by putting sustainable development principles into reality, such as compact urban planning, diverse land use, and effective transportation networks. Stepping up efforts to save forests, safeguarding natural areas, and encouraging.

Smog in Lahore

In Lahore, smog is a serious problem for the environment and public health, particularly in the winter. Construction operations, industrial pollution, burning in agriculture, and vehicle emissions are the primary sources. Smog forms as a result of temperature inversions and stagnant air conditions that trap pollutants near to the ground. Burning crop residue in agricultural regions adds to the air pollution and particulate matter in Lahore. Pollutants that contribute to smog include ozone (O3), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Due to its ability to deeply enter the respiratory system and create health issues, PM2.5 is especially dangerous. Serious health concerns are associated with smog, particularly for vulnerable groups including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory disorders. Respiratory symptoms, including asthma attacks and other respiratory illnesses, might arise after brief contact. Prolonged exposure has been linked to long-term health problems such as cardiovascular illnesses, lung cancer, and early mortality.

Negative environmental impacts of smog include harm to agriculture, ecosystems, and plants. Through its absorption of sunlight, it also plays a role in climate change by causing global warming. Increasing public transit, enforcing industrial emissions laws, lowering car emissions requirements, and putting agricultural burning reduction measures into action are some mitigation techniques.

The threat posed by climate change is not remote; it is happening right in front of our eyes, affecting every region of the world. Lahore is leading the fight against these changes because of its varied population and rich cultural legacy. Lahore and cities across the world can work towards a more resilient and climate-resilient future by being aware of the local effects and encouraging a shared commitment to sustainable practices.

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The author is a student from the Department of Media and Development Communication at University of the Punjab, Lahore.