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The fundamental consequences of global warming include an upsurge in the intensity and frequency of temperature extremes. This study provides an insight into historical trends and projected changes in extreme temperatures on annual and seasonal scales across "Balochistan, Pakistan". Historical trends are analyzed through the Mann Kendal test, and extreme temperatures (Tmax and Tmin) are evaluated using generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution for historical period (1991-2020) from the observational data and the two projected periods as near-future (2041-2070) and far-future (2071-2100) using a six-member bias-corrected ensemble of regional climate models (RCMs) projections from the coordinate regional downscaling experiment (CORDEX) based on the worst emission scenario (RCP8.5). The evaluation of historical temperature trends suggests that Tmax generally increase on yearly scale and give mixed signals on seasonal scale (winter, spring, summer, and autumn); however, Tmin trends gave mixed signals at both yearly and seasonal scale. Compared to the historical period, the return levels are generally expected to be higher for Tmax and Tmin during the both projection periods in the order as far-future > near-future > historical on yearly and seasonal basis; however, the changes in Tmin are more evident. Station-averaged anomalies of + 1.9 °C and + 3.6 °C were estimated in 100-year return levels for yearly Tmax for near-future and far-future, respectively, while the anomalies in Tmin were found to be + 3.5 °C and + 4.8 °C which suggest the intensified heatwaves but milder colder extreme in future. The findings provide guidance on improved quantification of changing frequencies and severity in temperature extremes and the associated impacts., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is very significant project owing to its development in Pakistan and China. It is evident that this project is promoting sustainable development in both countries in many ways. The objective of this research paper is to study about the sustainability of CPEC in adopting the environment related initiatives. It has been argued that CPEC is a difference maker in terms of improving infrastructure, protecting environment and boosting of the trade between Beijing and Islamabad. That is why, both nations have adopted multi-dimensional initiatives to save the environment. However, there is need to improve this process. Still there are many environmental challenges to this significant project. Considering the development under this project both Pakistan and China aspire to engage in clean energy cooperation to ensure sustainable environment. Both countries need to formulate guidelines and protocols for a green investment project roadmap to address the challenges of sustainable environment which are still missing at the policy level. By employing qualitative methods based on research material from secondary sources, this research aims to study the initiatives taken by Pakistan to make CPEC an ecofriendly and environmentally sustainable project. This is evident that CPEC project experience moderate but short term environment challenges due major infrastructure reforms. Furthermore, these environmental challenges are stern and can create hindrance in economic development for Pakistan and China if certain environmental regulations could not be adopted. This paper recommends that both states needs to adopt concrete, composite, bilateral environmental cooperation for the sustainability of CPEC project for durable time frame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores to evaluate how Pakistan's agriculture is affected by climate change and to find techniques to mitigate and adapt to the changes. Pakistan's agriculture industry is drastically affected by climate change. The continuous inclination of temperature, shifting weather patterns, and more frequent climate change events are remarkably reducing crop yields, compromising food security and posing serious threats to rural livelihood. In order to evaluate the effects of climate change on agricultural output, water resources, and controlling pests, this study sought farmers in liable areas, reviewed a variety of literature in detail, and examined climate data. The paper also founds critical declines in crop yields, changes in developing seasons, and expanded irritation and sickness pressure. Farmers were observed using more groundwater, which resulted in a shortage of water and less fertile land. Pakistan needs to prioritize climateresilient agricultural techniques, raise farmer awareness and capacity building, improve water management, and encourage crop variety to ensure agricultural sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, climatic change challenges, consumer expectations, and concerns toward sustainability lead firms to consider responsible strategies for internal marketing and entrepreneurial orientation that contribute to competitive advantage and economic and environmental performance. This paper analyses the direct impact of internal marketing and entrepreneurial orientation on innovation and sustainability within the context of family businesses in the manufacturing sector in bakeries in Sindh Province in Pakistan. Information and data were obtained from 404 questionnaires applied in these firms during 2023. The methods include Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling to evaluate the measurement, structural models, and respective variables. Results confirm a significant direct influence of internal marketing on entrepreneurial orientation and innovation towards the sustainability of bakeries firms and emphasise the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation toward sustainability. Despite that, the firms haven't improved significantly sustainable production practices during the last three years. On the other hand, the unit cost of bakery production hasn't decreased during this period due to the reduction of energy or water use. Other results also confirm a significant concern with the customer's needs, but without putting in practice more quality in the production process or reducing the relative production costs (at constant prices). However, bakeries firms must directly address sustainability in all production and customer sales processes, namely reducing energy inputs and meeting consumers' needs concerning sustainable needs and goals. This study's significance lies in its contribution to the existing body of literature by illuminating the intricate pathway of relationships between internal marketing, entrepreneurial orientation toward sustainability, and innovation and sustainability. A future direction involves extending this model's applicability by examining its validity in other industries and service sectors, enriching the breadth of understanding beyond manufacturing industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As climate change becomes a primary driver of global ecosystem deterioration and biodiversity loss, protected areas (PAs) are posed to play a crucial conservation role. At a global scale, 17 % of land is currently covered by PAs; a figure expected to reach 30 % by 2030 under the UN post-2020 global biodiversity framework. However, focusing only on the percent coverage of PAs without assessing their efficacy may not accomplish the intended conservation goals. Here, we present the first assessment of the risk from climate change to existing PAs and non-protected lands across Pakistan by combining data on the local exposure and vulnerability of 409 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians to multidimensional changes in climate by mid (2040-2060) and late (2061-2080) century under two climate emission scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). We find that between 7 % (2050 RCP4.5) and 19 % (2080 RCP8.5) of the current network of PAs, mostly located in the eastern and southeastern parts of the country, are projected to be under future extreme risk (i.e., highly exposed areas containing highly vulnerable communities). Importantly, hotspots of risk within these PAs are projected to significantly expand over time and with increasing severity of the scenario. In contrast, PAs in the northern part of the country are projected to remain under moderate to low risk. Results are subject to variability across the country reflecting interesting differences in climate change exposure and species vulnerability between protected and non-protected lands. Importantly, significantly lower level of risks from future climate change are projected for PAs than non-protected lands across emission scenarios and periods suggesting potential candidate areas for the future expansion of the country's PA network. Our analysis provides novel insights that can help inform conservation decisions and management at a time when the country is investing in ambitious efforts to expand its network of protected areas., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Sustainability in cotton production is inevitable because producing more cotton means more employment, economic acceleration, and industrial expansion. India, China, the United States, Brazil, and Pakistan contribute 74% of worldwide cotton production. Pakistan is contributing only 5%, despite the high potential of cotton. The average yield of cotton in Pakistan is stagnant at 570.99 kg hm−2, whereas it entails the highest cost of production among all other crops. The yield obtained in Pakistan is less than the potential, profitability is drastically lessening, and farmers are abandoning cotton for alternative kharif crops. Some traditional quantitative studies have unveiled different factors that affect cotton production. However, an in-depth qualitative study has never been conducted in Pakistan to explore the root causes of growing cotton crop failure. Following Moustakas's traditional phenomenological guidelines, this phenomenological study was conducted in the district of Rahim Yar Khan in the core cotton zone of Punjab province. A total of 10 interviews were conducted with purposively selected cotton growers based on a criterion: (i) having more than 10 years of cotton growing experience, (ii) being a cotton grower, and (iii) having at least 10 years of formal schooling. Interviews were conducted face to face on an interview guide. One interview lasted 45–50 min, and responses were recorded and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. A total of 6 themes emerged from the collected data, including (i) climate change, (ii) varietal problems, (iii) pesticide usage, (iv) sense of institutional services, (v) attitude of farmers and (vi) soil health and environment. These six merging themes contributed to cotton crop failure and yield decline. The deep exploration further summarized that researchers, extensionists, and farmers need to seriously consider variety, sowing time, and the environment to revive cotton crops. The detailed recommendations and policy guidelines are presented in this paper, highlighting the cotton sector's research, development and investment areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Western disturbances (WDs) are synoptic-scale weather systems embedded within the subtropical westerly jet. Manifesting as upper-level troughs often associated with a lower-tropospheric low over Western India, they share some dynamical features with extratropical cyclones. WDs are most common during the boreal winter (December to March), during which they bring the majority of precipitation – both rain and snow – to the Western Himalaya, as well as to surrounding areas of north India, Pakistan and the Tibetan Plateau. WDs are also associated with weather hazards such as heavy snowfall, hailstorms, fog, cloudbursts, avalanches, frost, and coldwaves. In this paper, we review the recent understanding and development on WDs. Recent studies have collectively made use of novel data, novel analysis techniques, and the increasing availability of high-resolution weather and climate models. This review is separated into six main sections – structure and thermodynamics, precipitation and impacts, teleconnections, modelling experiments, forecasting at a range of scales, and paleoclimate and climate change – each motivated with a brief discussion of the accomplishments and limitations of previous research. A number of step changes in understanding are synthesised. Use of new modelling frameworks and tracking algorithms has significantly improved knowledge of WD structure and variability, and a more frequentist approach can now be taken. Improved observation systems have helped quantification of water security over the Western Himalaya. Convection-permitting models have improved our understanding of how WDs interact with the Himalayas to trigger natural hazards. Improvements in paleoclimate and future climate modelling experiments have helped to explain how WDs and their impacts over the Himalaya respond to large-scale natural and anthropogenic forcings. We end by summarising unresolved questions and outlining key future WD research topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change induced disasters have increased in frequency and intensity threatening economic wellbeing of businesses and communities. Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) being integral part of communities makes bulk (90%) of the economic activities around the globe, 96% in Asia and 99% of in Pakistan. In disaster context, survival, recovery and resilience of MSMEs are central to realization of community's survival, recovery and wellbeing. Small businesses are marred by liability of smallness characterized by limited resources, informal structure and unity of its ownership and management. SMEs are mostly dependent on entrepreneur's capabilities and resources for management, survival and growth. Some scholar suggest that in MSME context, among other factors entrepreneur's competencies, psychological and social capitals play a pivotal role in enabling organizational resilience and their disaster performance. Recently few studies have emerged focusing on investigating the impact of various entrepreneurial specific capabilities, resources and mechanisms either on firm resilience or firm performance separately in natural disaster and pandemic context. However, investigating the impact of these on MSME disaster recovery performance in an integrated model seems to be still missing. To address the gap, a study was designed to examine the relationship between entrepreneur's psychological capital, organizational resilience and MSME disaster recovery performance (MSME-DRP). An empirical quantitative study, grounded in multi-theory perspective, the propositions were explored by collecting data through questionnaire survey from 225 valid responses from flood effected District of Nowshera, Pakistan. Findings revealed that PsyCap significantly and positively impact MSME's disaster recovery performance. Results further highlighted significant partial mediation by organizational resilience, while it having significantly positive effect on recovery as direct mechanism as well. The paper contributes to the existing streamof research on organizational resilience and organizational disaster performance in broader strategicmanagement literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan is facing chronic energy crises since many years. This paper aims to provide an overview of the current status of energy efficiency and conservation practices at organizational level in Pakistan. The first phase of this study evaluates the trends in electricity consumption in selected buildings over the last six years (2017-2022). Subsequently, a survey was conducted in selected buildings to assess employee morale and knowledge of energy efficiency and conservation. Results show an insignificant change in electricity consumption in selected buildings during the past six year's period indicating a poor culture of energy savings in the selected organization. Despite a constant electricity consumption from 2017 to 2022, a significant fluctuation in average billing amounts was observed. This is possibly due to electricity tariff that has continuously been fluctuating since last few years in Pakistan including Karachi. Study reveals that more than 50% of the employees in selected organization were aware about the importance of energy efficiency and conservation however, they rarely practice the energy saving measures during their routine activities. This is perhaps due to the lack of sense of national stewardship among the employees. It was also found that most of the employees of the selected organization are aware and motivated towards the environmental and climate change concerns related to energy production and its efficient use. However, again a small number of employees were found practicing the energy conservation and efficiency measures. According to this study, companies should encourage staff members to save energy by offering frequent trainings and educational opportunities. Additionally, the organizations ought to think about switching to renewable energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study summarizes the media coverage of climate change in Pakistan. Pakistan is among the most climate-vulnerable countries, which leaves a long-lasting impression on the already crippling economy along with other issues. Climate communication is a crucial need of this hour. Media needs to play an important part in guiding people about their role in climate preservation to lessen the impacts. Various studies have been done on this issue to learn the media's role in climate change awareness in Pakistan. This research implies systematic literature review using studies from the last 15 years i.e., 2009 to 2023. The study concludes that Pakistani media did not have sufficient coverage of climate issues due to various issues like illiteracy, lack of infrastructure for reporting, lower rating and editorial preferences. It is recommended that media needs to design special programs and dedicate more time to climate reporting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring household food security and fighting hunger are global concerns. This research highlights factors affecting food security and solutions by utilizing a nexus of statistical and fuzzy mathematical models. A cross-sectional study was conducted in district Torghar, Northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, among 379 households through a structured interview schedule. Further, the data were coded into SPSS for analysis, i.e., descriptive, and inferential statistics. In a binary logistic regression model, the study explored that agricultural productivity lag, population growth, and climate change all had a negative impact on household food security (P = 0.000). In addition, these results were further cross-checked through spherical fuzzy mathematics. The fuzzy results revealed that population growth is the most powerful factor deteriorating the existing equilibrium of household food security in Torghar. The study concluded that climate change, population explosion, and agricultural production were the major factors behind the hunger in the study area. Thus, designing a synergy based on taking all these aforementioned realities into consideration is the need of the hour. If extended, a comprehensive model of addressing these anomalies with a solely objective-based approach may work as a panacea for all ills. Lastly, this study contributes to the food security literature by introducing a new approach that is more robust and flexible than existing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floods are a great threat to Pakistan with increasing concern. As the consequences of increased extreme weather related to climate change, Pakistan experiences severe floods almost every year. This study aims to explore and analysis the actual inundated situation, magnitude, the possible causes of the 2022 devastating floods, and future trends. We presented an enhanced nationwide flood mapping method and compared with other pixel-based image processing techniques including active contours and change detection. These algorithms were applied to Sentinel-1 Ground Range Detected (GRD) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery (10 m spatial resolution) with various land types and inundation scenarios in Pakistan, and were evaluated using other reference flood products. Accuracy evaluation analysis demonstrated that our algorithm has high robustness and accuracy, with the overall accuracy (OA) higher than 0.83 and critical success index (CSI) up to 0.91, and is suitable for automated flood monitoring in near real time. Nearly one-third of the lands were flooded in 2022, and more than half were inundated croplands. Punjab and Sindh provinces were the most severely affected regions, with the proportions of inundated area in 2022 (21.26% and 20.55%) nearly twice of that in 2010 (11.40% and 12.70%), indicating an intensified flooding trend. Analysis of possible influential factors showed that the intense and cumulative rainfall during the monsoon season (June to August) was the major cause of the 2022 flood event. Although the snow melted rapidly in June (the average change in snow depth is ∼10 mm), the overall ablation contributed insignificant amount to the flood water. The glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) induced by abnormal April–May heatwave provide water flowed into the tributaries of the Indus River, but are difficult to spread for thousands of kilometers from mountains to the plain downstream. The combination of the intrinsic arid climate and extreme floods exacerbate the already severe situation. • This paper presents an automated method based on tile thresholding and fuzzy logic. • The inundation in Punjab and Sindh in 2022 are nearly twice of that in 2010. • The cumulative rainfall is the major cause of the 2022 flood event. • The snow melting and GLOFs are likely small relative to the flood water gains. • These observations imply an intensified flooding and water cycle in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving equitable development that supports climate mitigation in an uncertain future remains a daunting task, particularly for post-conflict societies. In this paper, we present results from a local stakeholder participatory scenario workshop investigating emerging priorities for anticipatory action, with respect to future climate impacts, in the vulnerable conflict-affected Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. Importantly, our findings reveal that stakeholders were less focused on addressing climate impacts, and more interested in local development initiatives to enhance tourism offerings and the regional national park network. The novelty of our work lies in the use of participatory scenarios to both initiate a process of healing and provide a forum for the co-production of future narratives focused on sustainable and inclusive development. However, this first involves mending the social fabric that ties individuals and communities together in an inclusive and informed way. As such, our work adds to the scholarship of environmental peacebuilding, creating a local context-specific knowledge base using a bottom-up approach to understand a shared future. The case study presented here highlights the perspectives of policymakers from the global south and brings local stakeholders together in a space where top-down management approaches often dominate. • Using scenarios is only one step towards providing an opportunity for healing by co-producing narratives of a local future. • Our work reflects on ways to avoid future conflict and other undesirable prospects. • Our findings highlight the need to reflect on technocratic versus political approaches to address the issue of climate change. • We add to the scholarship of environmental peacebuilding and create a localised and context-specific knowledge. • We bring stakeholders together in a space where top-down management approaches dominate in policymaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Climate change and global warming have effects on every ecosystem and have caused huge losses in global biodiversity. This study identified that currently, the study area explored in this work provides a good quantity (around 35%) of suitable habitat for the Demoiselle Crane. The most influential factors determining Demoiselle Crane habitat suitability included the temperature seasonality, annual mean temperature, terrain ruggedness index, and human population density as significant contributors. Under changing climate scenarios, the study predicted a major loss of species current suitable habitat, with shrinkage and movement towards western–central areas along the Pakistan–Afghanistan boarder. The inevitable impacts of climate change have reverberated across ecosystems and caused substantial global biodiversity loss. Climate-induced habitat loss has contributed to range shifts at both species and community levels. Given the importance of identifying suitable habitats for at-risk species, it is imperative to assess potential current and future distributions, and to understand influential environmental factors. Like many species, the Demoiselle crane is not immune to climatic pressures. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces in Pakistan are known wintering grounds for this species. Given that Pakistan is among the top five countries facing devastating effects of climate change, this study sought to conduct species distribution modeling under climate change using data collected during 4 years of field surveys. We developed a Maximum Entropy distribution model to predict the current and projected future distribution of the species across the study area. Future habitat projections for 2050 and 2070 were carried out using two representative concentration pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) under three global circulation models, including HADGEM2-AO, BCC-CSM1-1, and CCSM4. The most influential factors shaping Demoiselle Crane habitat suitability included the temperature seasonality, annual mean temperature, terrain ruggedness index, and human population density, all of which contributed significantly to the suitability (81.3%). The model identified 35% of the study area as moderately suitable (134,068 km2) and highly suitable (27,911 km2) habitat for the species under current climatic conditions. Under changing climate scenarios, our model predicted a major loss of the species' current suitable habitat, with shrinkage and shift towards western–central areas along the Pakistan–Afghanistan boarder. The RCP 8.5, which is the extreme climate change scenario, portrays particularly severe consequences, with habitat losses reaching 65% in 2050 and 85% in 2070. This comprehensive study provides useful insights into the Demoiselle Crane habitat's current and future dynamics in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to escalating environmental concerns driven by greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan, amid accelerated climate change and deteriorating air quality, struggles with power crisis. Our purpose of this research was to develop a pivotal strategy to address the power crisis and provide clean transportation facilities by involving power transitioning from fossil fuel vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). We aimed to establish EV charging stations powered by renewable sources like solar and wind energy using grid to vehicle (V2G) mechanism. Utilizing MATLAB Simulink, an optimal electric vehicle charging system with a Level 2 fast charging mechanism was designed, aiming to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from both the transportation and energy sectors. This framework aligned with global trends in climate change mitigation, providing developing countries like Pakistan with a practical solution. The results indicated a 10-kW, AC power output at 240 V coupled with an ideal 50 kWh EV battery rating, which was achieved for EV charging. The output parameters, including current voltage and power output of solar PV, micro wind, and battery levels, were used before and after the incorporation of a boost converter. Consequently, the application of a boost converter and proportional integral (PI) controller resulted in low overshoot and steady state output parameters of the proposed system. Also, the battery backup helped to optimize the power output for load driven EVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is an emerging challenge that is triggering natural variabilities and disasters globally. In Gilgit–Baltistan (GB) region of Pakistan, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) have been occurring frequently due to glacier surges, increasing the vulnerability of mountain communities, particularly small farmers. This research aims to investigate the climate change-induced GLOFs of the Shishper glacier in Hunza valley of GB with the intent of studying the farming activities; local awareness and perceptions toward climate change; impacts of climate change and GLOFs on agriculture; and adaptation mechanisms based on indigenous knowledge. Mixed-methods research approach was employed for a field survey in two villages inhabited by farmers of the Burusho community. Quantitative data were gathered from a sample of 180 respondents by using a structured questionnaire, whereas field observation coupled with photography and spot interviews were undertaken to accumulate qualitative data. Results revealed that many farmers lost their fertile land, and their crops and fruit orchards were severely damaged as a result of the devastating effects of climate change and recent GLOFs in 2019 and 2020, resulting in low crop yield and agricultural income. Local communities typically respond to GLOFs through self-help strategies and indigenous methods to sustain their livelihoods. However, our findings suggest that current adaptation practices are insufficient in light of rising climate risks. Thus, there is an urgent need to assist mountain communities by providing maximum support and interventions to enhance their resilience to future GLOFs and to increase people's adaptive capacity by strengthening their socioeconomic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Challenges to crop sector arising from changing temperature and rainfall cause losses to food crop productivity in particular and agriculture sector in general. The present study aims to see the farm households' perception and adaptation to climate change and to determine the effects of adaptation on food crop productivity in Pakistan using cross-sectional data collected from Punjab and Sindh provinces of Pakistan. Probit model is used to evaluate farmer's understanding of climate change and its associated institutional, socio-economic and demographic variables. Results show that the majority of farmers have experienced the changes in rainfall (76%) and temperature (79%). Socio-economic and demographic variables such as education above primary schooling years, number of earners, medium farm size, NGOs, and access to information sources, namely radio and neighboring farmers, are significantly related with perception of climate change. Propensity score matching method (PSM) is employed for examining the factors influencing adaptation to climate change and the effects of adaptation on food crop productivity. Results of PSM indicate that male household heads, family size, matriculation education, households having access to credit, information source, land quality, perception of rainfall and rented land are significantly related with adaptation to climate change. Productivity gains for adapters are 0.04% and the productivity gains for non-adapters are 3.8% if they adapted. The study suggests the need to invest in farmer's education, improve information sources and skills of existing extension staffs on climate change and adaptation measures. The study posits to increase access to viable credit programs, enabling farmers to invest in adaptation strategies to cope with climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In developing countries like Pakistan, the preservation of the environment, as well as people's economies, agriculture, and way of life, are believed to be hampered by climate change. Understanding how people perceive climate change and its signs is essential for creating a variety of adaptation solutions. In this study, we aim to bridge the gap in current research within this area, which predominantly relies on satellite data, by integrating qualitative assessments of people's perceptions of climate change, thereby providing valuable ground-based observations of climate variability and its impacts on local communities. Field-based data were collected at different altitudes (upstream (US), midstream (MS), and downstream (DS)) of the Upper Indus Basin using both quantitative and qualitative assessments in 2017. The result shows that these altitudes are highly variable in many contexts: socioeconomic indicators of education, agriculture, income, women empowerment, health, access to basic resources, and livelihood diversifications are highly variable in the Indus Basin. The inhabitants of the Indus Basin perceive the climate changing around them and report impacts of this change as increase in overall temperatures (US 96.9%, MS 97%, DS 93.6%) and erratic rainfall patterns (US 44.1%, MS 73.3%, DS 51.0%) resulting in increased water availability for crops (US 38.6%, MS 39.7%, DS 54.8%) but also increasing number of dry days (US 56.7%, MS 85.5%, DS 67.1%). Communities at these altitudes said that agriculture was their primary source of income, making them particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and the dangers that go along with it. The insights are useful for determining what information and actions are required to support local climate-related hazard management in subtropical climate regions. Moreover, it is vital to launch a campaign to raise awareness of potential hazards, as well as to provide training and an early warning system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration due to climate change has become a common phenomenon worldwide, and Pakistan is not an exception. Climate-impacted migrants not only face socio-economic implications as security risks but migrant communities also suffer from exploitation. In Pakistan, Climate-induced migration poses challenges for every province. The study examines the relationship between international migration and climate change in Pakistan and evaluates the impact of climate change on different regions. Qualitative research with secondary data sources has been used. Using a thematic analysis, a researcher has examined the dataset from several aspects and highlighted different patterns and how they relate to one another. The study finds that internal migration is an adaptive strategy for flexibility to climate change and offers economic opportunities and challenges in migrated urban centers. The Research finds that migration can serve positively and effectively if adaptation strategies allow the vulnerable population to diversify their income resources along with the environmental changes. Therefore, study suggests that government should mitigate migration issues, reduce conflicts, and promote sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the discourse of water scarcity and gender discrimination, a feminist political ecological lens offers a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between gender dynamics and water access. Article highlights that historically, despite of bearing multitude water related miseries, women are altogether excluded from national policy formulation processes and there is inequality of women representation in high ranked positions in ministry of water and Irrigation. In this article, mixed methodology has been used. Article has found out that women bearing water burden compounded with domestic violence results into incapability of women to perform their duties, resultantly it encourages the practice of ‘’Water Wives’’ and ‘’Water Laborers’’ . Additionally, on basis of their different biological functioning such as menstruation and pregnancy, water scarcity affect women disproportionately. Article suggests that, in water policy formulation, women role should not be compartmentalized only as beneficiaries. Their contribution should be recognized as water drivers, as only such measures can achieve water security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, the world has been facing climate change issues in terms of global warming, heat waves, droughts, and other factors as well. Over the period, climate gradually impacts the globe, particularly in South Asia, and Pakistan is one of those countries that are directly and indirectly affected by climate change, including health, agriculture, water resources, and migration impacts. Climate change has led to extensive challenges, including droughts, heat waves, and global warming, especially in South Asia. Climate change has both direct and indirect effects on Pakistan's health, the agricultural sector, water resources, and migratory patterns. This study aims to emphasize the effects of climate change on immigration, poverty, and health challenges within Pakistan, as well as how it causes property and livelihood losses and harms social well-being. Likewise, this study uses a qualitative method to investigate the socioeconomic elements and national security challenges associated with climate change in Pakistan. It examines the factors that contribute to these effects and investigates how climate hazards serve as catalysts for displacement. The study found that Pakistan's significant reliance on agriculture, along with disastrous floods, exacerbates food insecurity, property loss, poverty, and migration. For instants It also demonstrates that people encounter difficulties while attempting to alter their agricultural techniques. Comprehensive methods and government action are required to alleviate the negative effects of climate change in Pakistan, including food security, property protection, and socioeconomic stability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basic objective of this study was to examine the relationship of Pakistani people's perceptions of climate change reality and climate change causes, the consequences, and temporal distance and spatial distance of the consequences of climate change with the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP), the negative affect associated with climate change, and the risk perception of climate change. Despite the expanding scientific accord, the public agreement towards the risks of climate change is uncertain. People's perceptions and attitudes toward climate change led to the understanding of how people respond to the risks caused by climate change, yet this mass subjective assessment has not been sufficiently done in terms of highlighting risks and consequences. To conduct this study, an online survey was employed including the respondents from several areas of Pakistan who were educated enough to understand the terminologies related to climate change. The study sample consisted of 200 people with the age range 16 to 36 & above. The findings suggest that people's perceptions of climate change reality and climate change causes, the consequences, and temporal distance and spatial distance consequences of climate change are interestingly related and directly proportional to how people advocate the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP), experience the negative affect associated with climate change, and anticipate the climate change risks. It is crucial to address the absence of subjective assessment to inform evidence-based policies and communication strategies that connect with the Pakistani public. This will help foster meaningful engagement and encourage collective action to mitigate the effects of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the effects of climate changes on food production and accessibility, particularly for the country's most vulnerable populations. Additionally, the study explores potential adaptation and mitigation strategies, such as implementing climate-resistant agricultural methods, water management, and policy reforms, to ensure food security to deal with climate change. Pakistan, a country with a fast-growing population and inadequate arable land, is experiencing many challenges in preserving food security due to the mounting threats of climate change. As a country extremely susceptible to the effects of global warming, it faces significant threats due to fluctuations in temperature, precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events. These factors directly impact agricultural productivity, the availability of water, and livestock health. The research is qualitative in nature because it helps to explain comprehensively and supports interpretive goals. Qualitative research methods are applied for data collection since the nature of the research is qualitative. The data source is secondary in nature. The findings emphasize the need for immediate action for inclusive and cohesive approaches to address the complex problem of climate change and its implications for Pakistan's food security. To face the challenges of climate change adaptation of sustainable land management, decentralized renewable systems of energy and Insurance System for crop are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores user perceptions, engagement, and the credibility of climate change information shared on Facebook. This research seeks to uncover the impact of this influential social media platform on climate change awareness in a specific regional context. Researcher Research validity and reliability depend on sample size. This technique involves assessing confidence level, margin of error, effect magnitude based on study objectives, and statistical test selection. The researcher must also account for attrition and non-response rates to maintain sample size during data collection. The ability to recruit and survey within resources and timetables is essential. The sample size estimate was used for an unlimited population, and 384 responded. Complex situations may require a statistician or statistical software to calculate sample size. The findings offer insights into the dynamics of climate change communication in Lahore through Facebook and provide a foundation for informed policy decisions and awareness campaigns. It is evident that social media platforms, when harnessed effectively, can contribute significantly to advancing climate change awareness and fostering collective efforts toward climate action in the context of Lahore, Pakistan, and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. According to the Global Climate Risk Index, Pakistan is ranked as the fifth-most vulnerable country to climate change. Most recently, during June-August 2022, heavy torrential rains coupled with riverine, urban, and flash flooding led to an unprecedented disaster in Pakistan. Around thirty-three million people were affected by the floods. More than 2 million houses were damaged, leaving approximately 8 million displaced and approximately 600,000 people in relief camps. Among those, 8.2 million women and 16 million children are the worst affected, with many requiring urgent medical and reproductive healthcare. To plan an efficient healthcare program and a climate-resilient health system, it is crucial to understand the issues that the affected people face during floods. Methodology. This rapid assessment included the population in the most severely affected districts across the four provinces of Pakistan. A mixed methods approach using qualitative and quantitative techniques was utilized. A total of 52 qualitative, in-depth interviews were conducted with community-level healthcare providers, national and provincial government departments, and development partners involved in relief activities. Using a structured questionnaire, the quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with a final sample of 422 women, married and unmarried (15-49 years old), residing in the relief camps in the flood-affected areas. The outcome variable of the survey was the access to sexual and reproductive health services faced by the women in the flood-affected districts. Data collection took place four months postfloods during Nov-Dec 2022, while the data analysis was conducted between Dec 2022 and Jan 2023. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 20, and qualitative data was analyzed using NVivo 12. Ethical consent was sought from all the participants. Ethical approval was also sought from the ethics committee of the Health Services Academy, Government of Pakistan. Results. The findings indicated that, overall, all the provinces were unprepared for a calamity of such a large magnitude. Access to services and health data reporting from the flood-affected areas was challenging mainly due to a shortage of trained health workforce because of the displacement of a large volume of the health workforce. Overall, equipment, medicines, supplies, and food were scarce. Women residing in the camps were markedly affected, and 84% (375) were not satisfied with the flood relief services provided to them. The floods impacted their monthly income as 30% (132) of respondents started depending on charity postfloods. Almost 77% (344) reported limited access to sexual and reproductive health services and had yet to receive sanitary, hygiene, and delivery kits, while 69% (107 out of 154) of girls stopped schooling postfloods. Almost 77% (112) of the married women reported having a child less than one year of age. Yet, only 30% (44 out of 144 currently married women) were using any form of family planning method—damage to the health facilities affected access to overall maternal care services. Conclusion. The findings concluded that there was no planning for sexual and reproductive health services in the flood-affected areas. Several barriers were identified. The government and development partners needed to prepare to cater to women's needs during the floods. The findings highlight the need for collaborative efforts between the government, civil society, and development partners to address the challenges faced in disaster management and strengthen disaster management capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climate crisis disproportionately impacts women and girls all over the world. To understand what the priorities in terms of policy are, an examination is conducted on the impacts taking place in South Asia (focusing on the countries of Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan), an area of the globe that is highly vulnerable to climate change and is characterized by having strong patriarchal values. Gender stereotypes and roles in the region heighten women and girls’ vulnerability to climate impacts, both in general and in situations of crisis resulting from extreme weather events. Deepening the understanding of the climate crisis’ impact on gender in South Asia, a region at the frontline of these eects, can assist in reaching a baseline understanding of the challenge from a global perspective. Methodologically, we reviewed an extensive body of literature, both specialty books and scientific articles, recent institutional reports as well as news or journalistic reports from reliable international press. In this research, the argument is made that today, climate action and urban development cannot be considered separately from women’s rights. Extensive scientific data and research support the integration of a gender perspective in urban adaptation standard practices, and priorities in terms of policy to safeguard women and girls are identified accordingly. The allocation of half of climate funds, including those of loss and damage, directly to women or women-led organizations is identified as being particularly relevant. Bold and ambitious policymaking is urgently needed to build capacity to face the multiple crises unfolding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In current era of globalization, environmental sustainability has become a major concern in developing countries. This issue of sustainability also gained importance in Pakistan. Previous literature ignored the link of knowledge spillover along with energy efficiency and globalization on environmental sustainability in Pakistan. So, the motivation of current study is to explore the impact of energy efficiency, knowledge spillover, and globalization on environmental sustainability in Pakistan from 1980 to 2021. This study applied Phillip Perron (PP)unit test to determine the stationarity properties of study variables, and it was found that all variables are I(1). The study then applied the Johansen cointegration estimation technique, confirming a cointegration and long-run relationship between environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, knowledge spill over, and globalization. So, the vector error correction model is applied to determine the variables' long-run relationship. Results confirmed that knowledge spill over and energy efficiency negatively impact environmental sustainability by increasing the ecological footprint, while globalization positively affects environmental sustainability. Thus, for environmental sustainability policy formation, fostering circular economy practices that improve resource efficiency is essential, advocating a shift in the conventional production and utilization paradigm by recycling the natural environment and producing as little waste as possible. Further, governments should develop and stimulate the expansion of financial institutions and markets along with promoting a planned urbanization process are essential for ensuring that resources are handled sustainably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Headwater in the Indus River in Pakistan is largely dependent on the glaciers located in the northern part of the country, along with other sources such as direct precipitation. Glaciers are a major source of freshwater that provides agriculture and livelihood to millions of people. The hydro-climatic variations in the Gilgit watershed of the Upper Indus basin are poorly investigated scientifically due to high topographical differences, geography, remoteness of the region, and larger variations in climatic conditions. These glaciers are continuously changing due to melting as a consequence of global warming or accumulation due to snowfall/precipitation at higher altitude regions. The study is carried out using remote sensing data to quantify glacier changes in spatiotemporal variability in the past three decades. Five glaciers in the Gilgit region (near the junction of the Hindukush and Karakoram Mountains) with an area of more than 5 square kilometers were selected, namely Phakor, Karamber, East Gammu, Bhort, and Bad-e-Swat glaciers. These glaciers were monitored for changes in their sizes through a cloud-free continuous series of Landsat satellite imagery. The annual climatic trends were studied through spatially interpolated gridded climate data WοrldClim version-1 climate database for 1970–2000, utilized for assessment of meteorological condition by analyzing the variations of minimum and maximum temperature, solar radiation, and precipitation. The temporal variations in five glaciers in the Gilgit watershed are found to be minimal and, thus, are rather stable and show no sign of rapid melting or diminishing. The little variability of glaciers' extent may be attributed to their geographic condition, altitude, topography, and orientation. The mapped glacier classes have been validated to check the accuracy assessment through an error matrix method. The kappa coefficient from the error matrix has been calculated as 84%, which shows a good agreement. The study makes a critical input towards understanding the dynamics of the glacier in the upper Indus catchment's Gilgit watershed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snow and glaciers are very sensitive to changing climate. Glaciers in the central Karakoram, western Himalaya and eastern Hindukush mountain ranges are not responding to global warming in the same manner as their counterparts around the world. Glaciers in this region are behaving differently. Some are retreating, while others are stable or surging. It is important to monitor these changes to protect downstream communities from the negative consequences. This study is conducted to monitor the state of the selected glaciers of Hunza River Basin, such as Batura, Passu, Ghulkin, Gulmit, Baulter, Barpu, Samaiyar Bar, Muchuhar, and Shishper glaciers were analysed using Digital Elevation Model and satellite images for 1972, 1979, 1990, 1998, 2008 and 2018. A semi-automatic approach was adopted to delineate the glacier boundary supplemented by manual editing. These glaciers show different fluctuations over the last fifty years. The Batura glacier showed surge in the 1970s and then retreated followed by quiescence. There is no prominent change in Ghulkin, Barpu, and Samaiyar Bar glaciers while almost 40 m per year retreat was observed in Passu and Gulmit glaciers but Muchuhar retreated at a faster rate. The surge of Shishper results in the formation of glacier-dammed lake which has so far triggered four Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). Overall, area of nine glaciers decreased from 596.54 ± 31.02 km2 in 1972 to 568.52 ± 8.51 km2 in 2018, which accounts for 4.8% decrease in area. This decrease will affect landscape development, regional hydrology and people living downstream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This keynote address offers an overview of Asia in an increasingly fragile world. Climate change is making the monsoon more erratic, bringing more drought and more flood, signaled by the devastating flood of Pakistan in August 2022. Extreme weather and rising sea levels are increasing the "human flow" of migrants, especially into Asia's megacities. Climate change reacts with other trends: the increased inequalities willed by a generation of neoliberal policies, the authoritarian turn in politics, and the return of geopolitical tensions resulting from China's spectacular rise. More dialogue between the sciences and the social sciences is needed to address these multiple fragilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gum acacia Senegalia senegal (L.) Britton (Fabales: Fabaceae) is a drought-tolerant plant belonging to the genus Acacia of the Leguminosae family, possessing significant economic and ecological value. Despite its importance, there is a knowledge gap regarding the potential impact of climate change on the distribution of S. senegal, crucial for the conservation of plant resources and optimizing its use in introductory silviculture. In this study, we selected 23 environmental variables and utilized the optimized maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model to analyze the key environmental factors affecting the distribution of S. senegal worldwide and simulate the current and future distribution range of S. senegal in Pakistan under the SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5 climate change scenarios. The results highlight key environmental factors influencing the distribution of S. senegal, including BIO3 (isothermally), BIO4 (coefficient of seasonal variation of temperature), BIO11 (mean temperature of the coldest season), and BIO12 (annual precipitation). Regions with higher and less fluctuating temperatures exhibit a higher potential for S. senegal distribution. Currently, suitable habitats of S. senegal are concentrated in the southern region of Pakistan, covering provinces such as Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, with highly suitable habitats accounting for 6.06% of the total area. Under the current climatic conditions, this study identifies the spatial patterns of suitable habitats and their concentration in specific regions. With climate change, a notable expansion of suitable habitats towards higher latitudes is observed, with the most significant expansion under the extremely severe climate change scenario (SSP5-8.5), reaching 223.45% of the current level. The results of this study enhance our understanding of the dynamics of S. senegal distribution under climate change and offer valuable insights into the long-term introduction of S. senegal for afforestation and soil conservation in Pakistan. This study provides theoretical support for the sustainable development of the local ecosystem and socio-economy, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures to adapt to changing climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disposal of feminine hygiene products (FHPs) is a serious global concern, with particular urgency in developing countries, notably Pakistan. Municipal corporations face a serious challenge due to FHPs being part of unsorted domestic waste. Also, it is compounded by the absence of or poor implementation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) policies. This research aims to investigate the prevailing practices of FHP disposal among women and their awareness of its environmental implication(s) in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Pakistan. Qualitative research methodology was employed; a sample of ten educated working women was purposively selected for in-depth interviews. The conceptual framework of 'period poverty' was applied to analyze the experiential knowledge of women. The study concluded that women had a variety of disposal practices influenced by their religious and socio-cultural circumstances. However, environmental concern was given the least importance due to certain limitations. FHP users, as well as concerned authorities, need to collaborate to prevent land pollution and the resulting emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) contributing to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the study is to document the declared built heritage of Old Central Hub of Faisalabad being an industrial city of Pakistan, with a unique history and significant heritage structures. These structures and buildings are still standing in their grandeur while lacking the essence of aesthetically beautiful architecture appreciation due to neglect and ownership. The archival data was collected and further strengthened with the textural data to formulate the inventory while using architecture documentation as a main instrument for recording information. The establishment of statement of significance would emphasize the future restoration methodologies. This first step would lead to the formulation of the regeneration strategy with the series of prioritization of restoration actions. The present era of climate change and DE carbonization demands the conservation of resources which can be best achieved through regeneration strategy for the built structures like in old central hub of Faisalabad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the intricate history and pivotal junctures of the Pakistan-India water dispute, examining its environmental dimensions through the lenses of environmental security and the Theory of Environmentalism in International Relations (TEIR). Amid the shared vulnerability of Pakistan and India to climate change threats impacting their shared river waters, collaborative efforts become imperative. Projections indicate climate-related losses could cost South Asia $518 billion by 2050, a substantial portion of the region's GDP. This underscores the urgency for swift cooperation to foster sustainable water management in response to climate change. A descriptive and analytical research methodology has been used in which diplomatic discussions evaluates successes, failures, and ongoing peace-building efforts. The interplay of environmental security is emphasized in fostering sustainable transboundary water management for a resilient South Asia. Conclusively, proactive measures, innovative diplomacy, and sustainable water management are advocated for building a more resilient and interconnected South Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In current study impact of climate change on net revenue of rice crop in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Pakistan was assessed by cross-sectional Ricardian method. Data was collected from 180 rice growers in different climatic zone of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including southern, central and northern regions. Key cost components were identified by simple budgeting technique. It reveals that land rent account for 29.11% of total cost, followed by labor (26.47%), threshing (8.53%) and tractor hours (8.31%). Per acre net returns noted vary across climatic zones, with northern zone yielding the highest at Rs. 30190.76/-followed by southern (Rs. 29957.12/-) and central zone (Rs. 27340.72/-). Temporal analysis having range from 1986-2021 reveals an upward trend for temperature in all three stages across the three zones. While rainfall patterns exhibit hill shaped curve during sowing and vegetative stages and a U-shaped curve during harvesting stage. Controlled variables including tractor hours, labor days, urea, DAP, and irrigation show positive and significant correlations with net revenue. A 1% increase in these variables results net revenue increase by 0.172 %, 0.175%, 0.019%, 0.061% and 0.113%, respectively. Study revealed non-linear relationship between temperature, rainfall and net revenue. Temperature's impact on net revenue follow inverted-U shaped with a critical temperature of 31 C°, beyond which rice crop yield decrease. Rainfall's effect for net return is U-shaped with a minimum rainfall level of 41 mm for study period. It is concluded that temperature increase in southern and central zone adversely affect crop yield because average temperature (34.88 °C, 34.77 °C) already exceeds the optimal level. Based on findings study recommended mechanized farming practices, such as use of rice combine harvester, mechanical drier and automatic planters to reduce production costs. Further, optimizing the use of basic inputs and implementing nature-based measures such as developing vegetative cover to control temperature could enhance net returns. Effective information sharing among stakeholders and timely action are essential to mitigate climate change risk in study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]