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Article Information:
Role of Pakistan in Global Climate Change through Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs)
Wajeeha Malik, Hajra Shahid, Rabeea Zafar, Zaheer Uddin , Zafar Wazir, Zubair Anwar, Jabar Zaman Khan Khattak and Syed Shahid Ali
Corresponding Author: Wajeeha Malik
Submitted: September 17, 2012
Accepted: October 03, 2012
Published: November 20, 2012 |
Abstract:
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The increasing concentration of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) is warming the earth’s atmosphere and the phenomenon is known as Climate Change or Global Warming. The major factors contributing to the global climate change include polluted emissions by excessive burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. Pakistan contributes very little to the overall Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions however it remains severely impacted by the negative effects of climate change. Pakistan, in particular is estimated to have raised carbon emissions from 76 million tons in 1990 to 200 million tons in 2006. It is estimated that CO2 emissions with an average increase of 6.5% annually will grow to 482 million tons by 2020. The transport sector is a significant contributor to GHG emissions with an estimated 15million tons in 1990. With a proportionate increase in GHG emissions with the 100% increase in motor vehicles, the sector will be responsible for the emission of 30 million ton CO2 by 2020. According to data reviewed, the total petroleum consumption of Pakistan was 383 thousand barrels per day in 2008. Natural gas consumption was 1,088 billion cubic feet in 2007. Coal consumption reached 8.583 million short tons in 2007. In 2006, the total Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of fossil fuels reached 125.59 million metric tons (EIA). Glacier melt in the Himalayas is projected to increase flooding and will affect water resources within the next two to three decades. Freshwater availability is also projected to decrease which will lead to biodiversity loss. Beside that, coastal areas bordering the Arabian Sea in the south of Pakistan will be at greatest risk due to inland intrusion and increased flooding from the sea. Being a predominantly agriculture economy, climate change is estimated to decrease crop yields in Pakistan. The endemic morbidity and mortality due to diseases primarily associated with floods and droughts are expected to rise. The impact of climate change will also aggravate the existing social inequalities of resource use and intensify social factors leading to instability, conflicts, displacement of people and changes in migration patterns.
Key words: Fossil fuel, gaseous emissions, global climate change, Greenhouse gases (GHGs), rising temperature, ,
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Cite this Reference:
Wajeeha Malik, Hajra Shahid, Rabeea Zafar, Zaheer Uddin , Zafar Wazir, Zubair Anwar, Jabar Zaman Khan Khattak and Syed Shahid Ali, . Role of Pakistan in Global Climate Change through Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs). Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (11): 996-1001.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0492
ISSN (Print): 2041-0484 |
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