Islamabad 28 July: Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it’s a present crisis that is unearthing long-dormant microbes, stirring up toxic pollutants, and putting vulnerable populations such as the elderly at heightened risk. In its newly released Frontiers Report 2025, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) outlines four emerging environmental hazards with global ramifications, many of which are already impacting Pakistan.
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From melting glaciers in the Himalayas to recurring floods in Sindh and the Punjab, Pakistan finds itself on the frontline of a warming planet. Experts now warn that without immediate and systemic adaptation, the consequences could be catastrophic for the country’s agriculture, public health, and economy.
The report outlines four rapidly escalating threats:
- Melting Glaciers and Reactivated Microbes
As global temperatures rise, glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates. These icy giants, particularly in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region, contain ancient microorganisms—some dormant, others still viable. Scientists caution that glacier melt could potentially release pathogens into water systems used by millions in South Asia, including Pakistan. - Flood-Triggered Pollution
Extreme rainfall events, such as the catastrophic 2022 floods in Pakistan, have stirred toxic chemicals and legacy pollutants buried in soil and sediments. These include heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, previously locked away but now contaminating water supplies and farmland. - Damming Rivers in Drought Conditions
Across the Global South, including parts of Pakistan’s Indus River Basin, water scarcity is being worsened by outdated dam infrastructure. Environmentalists urge the reassessment or removal of obsolete barriers to restore river ecosystems and ensure clean water access for local communities. - Climate Risk for Ageing Populations
Pakistan’s elderly—projected to account for over 12% of the population by 2050—are disproportionately affected by heatwaves and air pollution. Without climate-resilient health infrastructure, older citizens will bear the brunt of intensifying environmental stresses.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen emphasized: “These are not hypothetical concerns. They are real, growing, and require immediate, science-based solutions to protect people and economies.”
Below is a snapshot of how climate change is already impacting Pakistan’s key sectors, based on data from the World Bank, NDMA, and Pakistan Meteorological Department:
| Sector | Impact | Data / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | Crop yields have dropped by 20–30% in flood-affected areas since 2010 | Ministry of National Food Security (2023) |
| Economy | Climate disasters caused $30+ billion in damages during 2022 floods | World Bank Damage Assessment Report (2023) |
| Health | Rise in vector-borne diseases (malaria, dengue) post-floods and heatwaves | WHO Pakistan & NDMA (2023–2024) |
| Food Security | 8.6 million people face food insecurity in flood-hit regions | FAO/WFP Joint Assessment (2023) |
| Displacement | Over 8 million internally displaced due to floods and droughts | NDMA and IOM (2022–2024) |
| Water Security | Groundwater contamination due to flood-borne pollutants and industrial waste | Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR, 2023) |
| Public Health | 1.5 million cases of acute respiratory infection and waterborne diseases after 2022 floods | Ministry of Health & WHO (2023) |
