Climate change poses an existential threat to humanity, and its effects on Pakistan's human rights cannot be disregarded. Beyond the obvious health hazards, Pakistan's human rights are suffering as a result of the environmental disaster. In March 2023, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a warning that the country is likely to experience higher than usual temperatures during the upcoming summer season. In fact, an intense heat wave was predicted for the time between March and May. But there was some action from the government as a means of tackling the issue seriously.
In Pakistan, temperatures have risen alarmingly in recent years, resulting in protracted heat waves that endanger human life. The elderly, children, and anyone working outdoors especially from marginalised communities are particularly vulnerable to heat-related diseases and deaths. Poor access to electrical and cooling infrastructure makes the problem worse and endangers lives.
The Global Climate Risk Index examines how nations are affected by extreme weather events due to climate change. Pakistan was listed as the eight most affected country in the world in 2021. According to a 2020 ranking in a research study conducted by the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), Pakistan is the 35th most climate vulnerable country yet only the 149th most ‘ready country’ to respond to the impacts of climate change
Dr Fatima Raheel from Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar spoke on how patients with heatstroke, dehydration, and other heat-related illnesses have flooded hospitals and clinics throughout the summer season. Most of the people are unaware about the dangers of heat wave due to which they do not adopt any precautionary measures. Additionally, the situation has been made worse by the scarcity of crucial medical supplies, such as cold storage for medication that could be used to treat people suffering from illnesses brought on by changes in the temperature.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that the effects of climate change has meant that humans are more vulnerable and exposed to heat. It has been highlighted that "between 2000 and 2016, the number of people exposed to heat waves increased by around 125 million," and that "extreme temperature events are observed to be increasing in frequency, duration, and magnitude globally.
Extreme weather conditions including heat waves and illnesses associated with higher temperature are included in the WHO's definition of climate-sensitive health concerns. As per the WHO, avoiding the worst climate impacts might help prevent 250,000 more climate-related deaths annually from 2030 to 2050, mostly from starvation, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated in 2021 that extreme heat waves of longer durations and a higher frequency are projected over India and Pakistan: "heat waves and humid heat stress will be more intense and frequent during 21st century in South Asia."
According to Pakistan's Ministry of Climate Change's study on the Karachi heat wave in June 2015, "as a result of projected climate change, more frequent and powerful heat waves can be expected in the future."
Around 120 experts from various fields worked together to produce the Lancet Countdown report on health and climate change in 2022. It noted that exposure to extreme heat was linked to acute kidney injury, heatstroke, poor pregnancy outcomes, worsened sleep patterns, effects on mental health, worsening of underlying cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and increases in non-accidental and injury-related deaths.
It also has an indirect impact on health by limiting people's ability to work and exercise. According to the Lancet report, heat-related deaths increased by 68% between 2000-04 and 2017-21 among vulnerable populations (adults over 65 and children under 1 year of age).
Environmental policy analysts are of the opinion that the government's response to the heat wave situation has been insufficient, concentrating more on quick solutions than long-term plans. Strong regulations are required to combat deforestation, advance renewable energy, and encourage environmentally friendly behavior. In order to guarantee their right to life, health, water, and shelter, vulnerable groups must be given priority.
“It's become more difficult to feed my family as our crops declining due to the extreme heat. There is no other way to make a living, therefore we must work in the intense sun at the risk of our health. The government must safeguard our right to work and support our livelihoods while assisting farmers like us in adjusting to the changing climate” said a local farmer from the Mardan district of KP.
According to an International Labour Organisation (ILO) report from 2021 on developing an inclusive social protection system in the country, Pakistan's strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation have not sufficiently taken social protection into account. The heat wave and disaster management plans examined for this briefing lacked strong social protection. For instance, there is no provision for income support for those who are sick from high heat or are unable to work during usual hours.
A social activist Muhammad Faheem said that community engagement and the involvement of civil society are essential to prevent the negative effects of heat waves on human rights. Local programs that distribute water, offer shelter, and spread heat safety information can considerably help vulnerable communities during heat waves. To effectively address the complex issues brought on by heat waves caused by climate change, cooperation between the government, civil society organisations and international partners is essential.
Despite the fact that international adaptation finance flows to poor countries are increasing, the UN Environment Programme's 2022 Adaptation Gap Report states that the "adaptation finance gap in developing countries is likely five to ten times greater than current international adaptation finance flows and continues to widen." The developed countries have so far fallen short of keeping their promise to provide developing nations with USD 100 billion in climate money annually from 2020 to 2025.
In 2022 United Nations Human Rights Council resolution 47/24 (A/HRC/RES/47/24) requested the Secretary-General to consult Member States and other relevant stakeholders in order to prepare and submit to the fiftieth session of the Human Rights Council a report on the adverse impact of climate change on the full and effective enjoyment of human rights of people in vulnerable situations.
In order to reduce the effects of climate change and safeguard human rights, experts emphasise the necessity for quick and comprehensive action. Common narratives from the front lines highlight the crisis's seriousness and call for the government to take prompt action to protect the most vulnerable populations. Pakistan must recover from this environmental catastrophe as a nation and pledge to a sustainable future where human rights are upheld in the face of climate change.