Seminar on world environment day held

Former Federal Minister for Water and Power, Engineer Tariq Hameed has said that the world's average temperature will increase by 2 degrees if steps would not be taken to reduce green house emissions resulting in the melting of glaciers, which will increase the sea level and affect coastal communities, eco system and disrupt global weather patterns.
He was talking to Business Recorder after the seminar on world environment day organised by Institution of Engineers (IEP) and Environment Protection Department (EPD) Government of Punjab on Friday.
Hameed said that despite of the large population the percentage of total emission of green house gases from Pakistan is low as compared to the world. "Unfortunately even though Pakistan have not been responsible for this problem we are likely to be affected by it in serious ways."
He also said that melting of snow and glaciers may temporarily increase the flow of water in to our rivers and reservoirs but over the time the total fresh water coming into rivers will reduce dramatically. He said it was obvious that the consequences of this water scarcity will further aggravate the already precarious situation.
Hameed said that the excessive use of air conditioners, big cars and consumer lifer style are the causes of climate change. He suggested that solar energy would be used for power generation instead of using fossil fuel for power generation. He said solar water heaters would be used instead of gas geysers for heating water.
"It is important to realise that about 20 percent of global green house gases are emitted due to the burning of forests, thus if this can be reduced effectively we would reduce the emission of green house gases. So conserving existing forests and restoring degraded forests also creates the opportunity to absorb carbon dioxide from the air. This approach is of great importance to Pakistan, since our country has one of the highest rates of deforestation in Asia." He said.
Hameed also said Pakistan is lucky to have diverse ecosystems from the coastal areas to the second -highest mountain range in the world K2 due to this diversity, there are different types of forest in the country, which includes Mangrove forest along the coast, Riverine forests along rivers and Coniferous forests in the Indus Delta and a forestation in Ayubia National Park forests in NWFP.
Director General Environment Protection Punjab, Dr Shagufta Shahjahan said that EPD is going to execute scheme for introduction of solar energy. She also said that efficient mass transport system is being introduced to reduce the reliance of citizens on individual vehicles.