By

Ayela Talat

Dialogue Fri 08 2026

Climate Change as a Non-Traditional Security Threat in Pakistan

With each passing day climate change is becoming more serious. The global temperature is increasing at a fast pace. It is now apparent throughout the world. Climate change is one of the greatest non-traditional security threats not just for the world, but for Pakistan as well. Climate change is one of the most severe instances of a non-traditional security threat. Non-traditional security threats are threats which impact human life, livelihood and well-being. It is not a traditional security problem like a war or a military attack, it has no clear enemy. Rather it impacts people through environmental and nature changes. It also causes social and economic issues. Identifying only one cause is challenging since many factors are all contributing to climate change.

Climate change is a phenomenon that is all over the world. But Pakistan should view it as one of its serious national security concerns. Pakistan is considered as one of the most climate change sensitive countries as it emits less than one per cent of global greenhouse gas emission. This indicates that low-emission countries can become the highest emitter victims. It also demonstrates the seriousness and injustice of climate change. Excessive emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases is the principal driver of climate change. These gases are emitted into the air by human activity. They hold heat and raise the temperature of the Earth. Today the amount of carbon dioxide is so great it is more than natural systems can keep up with. Scientific studies have shown that the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere is the highest it has been in millions of years.

Climate change is a result of a number of human activities. This is done through fossil fuel consumption, deforestation, industrialization, rapid population growth and overuse of harmful chemicals and equipment. As the technology progresses people's dependence on materials that are not environmentally friendly is increasing. The transportation factories and industries are emitting huge quantities of carbon emissions every day. There are lots of household products that also contribute to the pollution. Plastic and polythene bags have been found to harm the environment as well as the marine life when used in excess. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) also deplete the atmosphere's ozone layer which shields the Earth from harmful UV radiation. Climate change is also known as a threat multiplier as it impacts many sectors simultaneously. In the nature everything is interrelated. Climate change impacts human, animal, plant, ecosystems and the economy. As the temperature increases, the weather becomes hot and parched, the ice melts, and there are floods as well as droughts. Such alterations in the natural order upset the balance in life.

Agriculture is one of the most badly hit areas. Climate change leads to decreased crop yields due to shifts in precipitation, floods, droughts and heat waves. Lack of food production when agriculture is in distress. This in turn results in food scarcity, food inflation and higher food prices. Poor and developing countries like Pakistan are the most affected countries due to the reliance of many on agriculture for income and food. Climate change also harms ecosystem and biodiversity. Without proper adaptation to shifting weather conditions, many plants, herbs and animals are facing the threat of extinction. Numerous medicinal plants could also be lost. This may impact upon future medical research and treatments. That's because they are vital to healthy ecosystems, which in turn support human life, agriculture, and clean water. Water resources and public health are also impacted by climate change. The melting of glaciers with warmer temperatures can lead to flooding in some regions and drought in others. Diseases are more likely to spread in warm weather, polluted air and during shifts in the climate and these conditions pose health risks, particularly to children and the elderly.

The 2022 floods in Pakistan have been a prime example of the severe consequences of climate change. The floods left devastating effects in all parts of the country. Millions of people were impacted. Thousands of homes, roads, schools, hospitals, etc. were damaged. The crops were ravished and the economy lost an enormous amount. This was a disaster that demonstrated that climate change is more than just an environmental problem. The situation is also human, economic and national security concerns. Failure to act on Climate Change will make it even more dire in the future. It can lead to higher poverty, joblessness, migration and natural resource rivalry. Such issues can lead to social tensions and conflicts. Therefore, climate change should be considered an important national security threat.

Practical measures are necessary to cope with climate change. Awareness and education is the first and foremost step. Many people are aware of climate change, but not exactly what it is and how it poses a threat. Climate change must be presented in simple and easy words. Education of the population about the cause and effects of it should be promoted in schools, universities, media and government institutions. The more people know about a problem, the more they are likely to be a part of the solution. Decarbonization is another important step. Decarbonization is a process of lowering carbon emission by switching fuels to alternative fuels with less carbon. The use of renewable sources like solar, wind and hydropower should be encouraged. Implement cleaner technologies in industries. Individuals should also make use of EV's and energy-efficient devices wherever feasible. Overtime these small changes can have a significant impact. Afforestation and reforestation are also of great importance. Photosynthesis is how trees uptake carbon dioxide from the air. They deposit carbon in their trunks, branches and roots, and they expel oxygen into the atmosphere. Trees are one of the easiest, most impactful measures people can take to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Fortifying the protection of existing forests is also crucial. Another effective measure would be to minimize the amount of plastic and polythene bags used. These materials are harmful to the environment and have a serious impact on marine life. These should be replaced by alternatives that are reusable and environmentally friendly. Waste reduction, electricity saving, water-saving and the use of public transport is possible at the personal level as well.

To sum up, climate change is an environmental problem. It's one of the biggest non-traditional threats to world security today. Impacts human life, agriculture, food security, water resources, biodiversity, health and the economy. Despite contributing negligible amount of emissions, Pakistan is particularly vulnerable. The problem is far too great for the government to resolve. People are the building blocks of society. By taking action and embracing sustainable practices, we can mitigate the effects of climate change and create a safer and more sustainable future for us all.