Global warming is causing damage to Pakistan's environment and the climate change may increase natural disasters in future, a report by the disaster management experts says. Global warming results in loss of biodiversity, shifts in weather patterns and changes in fresh water supply.
According to a study, significant change has been noted in temperature and precipitation in Northern Areas during the last century. "At Skardu, seasonal and annual temperatures have risen in comparison to the last century", it said.
Mean annual temperature has increased by 1.4 degree centigrade with the mean annual maximum temperature rising more than 2.35 Celsius. The winter temperatures have risen far more than the summer season with an increase of up to 0.51 Celsius per decade since 1961.
"The temperature increase might cause upward shift of almost 400 meters in the frost line," the experts said. The report observed that the global warming might impact upon snow and rain patterns. "The phenomenon of snow melting during summer may decrease, which is a major source of water supply in many rivers of the country," experts warned.
On the other hand, observations of the World Glacier Monitoring Service indicate that mountain glaciers in the Karakoram mountains have been diminishing for the last 30 years.
Experts believe that the flow of water in rivers increased during the decade from 1990-2000 in comparison to 1975-1990. Researches also indicate that some of the glaciers in Pakistan have retreated significantly in the recent past. According to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), changes in the climate and snow melting may cause flash and extreme flooding during the next few decades. Besides, severe droughts might also be experienced in the future as climate change has resulted in variable monsoons.
"Further desiccation of arid areas due to warming would endanger food production in the plain areas," the study report observed. "Maximum tree plantation is the only way to reduce the desiccation of arid areas," experts suggested.
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