Climate Apartheid – The Ugly Truth Pakistan Cannot Escape

Climate Apartheid is a term first introduced by UN expert Philip Alston, who warned that the rich will insulate themselves from climate chaos while the poor are left to suffer. It’s the ugly truth of our times – climate change does not affect everyone equally. Wealth buys protection; poverty leaves people exposed.

In Pakistan, this is no longer a future scenario. It’s happening right now. Floods, droughts, and heatwaves strike hardest at those with the least resources to recover.

How Pakistan is Experiencing Climate Apartheid

Pakistan is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world despite contributing less than 0.8% of global emissions. In 2022, monsoon floods made worse by climate change killed over 1,700 people and caused USD 40 billion in damages.

Fast forward to 2025, from 24 June to 23 July, monsoon rainfall was 10-15% heavier due to global warming, leading to 300 deaths and 1,600 homes destroyed.

The elite shield themselves with generators, solar panels, and even vacations abroad. But the majority – farmers, laborers, and urban poor – face disaster after disaster with no safety net.

Glaciers Melting, Rivers Dying

Up north in Gilgit-Baltistan, glaciers that feed the Indus River are melting at alarming rates. Since 2000, glaciers in the region have lost up to 39% of their mass. This is a ticking time bomb for downstream communities.

• Glacial floods threaten entire valleys.

• Reduced river flow means less water for crops, hydropower, and drinking.

• Tarbela Dam’s power generation dropped 40% this summer, causing power cuts lasting over 12 hours.

If glaciers vanish, Pakistan faces both deadly floods and permanent water scarcity.

The Heatwave Nightmare

In Sindh, Jacobabad, Dadu, and Mohenjo Daro reached 49–50°C last year, ranking among the hottest places on Earth.

For the wealthy in Karachi or Lahore, extreme heat means higher AC bills. For the poor:

• Heatstroke deaths occur daily.

• Outdoor laborers collapse on the job.

• Children faint in overcrowded, unventilated classrooms.

This is climate apartheid in action: two separate realities within the same nation.

Rural vs Urban Divide

• In Sindh, villages remain submerged long after monsoon rains ended. Over 2 million people are still displaced, their lands ruined by saltwater intrusion.

• In Balochistan, rainfall was 64% below normal this winter, leaving farms barren and families without food.

Meanwhile, urban elites in gated communities enjoy imported food, bottled water, and private healthcare. The divide widens with every storm and drought.

Economic Collapse Under Climate Strain

Economists at LUMS now estimate climate damage at 7.2% of Pakistan’s GDP in 2025, equivalent to over USD 30 billion annually.

• Agriculture is collapsing – Pakistan now imports over USD 2 billion worth of wheat annually.

• Foreign investors are fleeing – FDI dropped 22% last quarter.

• Energy insecurity is worsening as river flows decline.

Without urgent reforms, climate change will cripple Pakistan’s already fragile economy.

The Human Cost

Migration

The UNDP reported 700,000 climate migrants in 2024. Entire families left their villages for overcrowded urban slums, often without jobs or schools for their children.

Health

• Lahore’s Air Quality Index hit 485 for 18 consecutive days this June.

• Hospitals reported a 300% increase in asthma and cardiac cases.

• Cholera, dengue, and heatstroke overwhelm underfunded clinics.

Hunger

Crop failures and food inflation push millions toward starvation. Climate apartheid is not just about heat or floods – it’s about survival itself.

Global Climate Justice

Despite its minimal emissions, Pakistan is suffering disproportionately. The world has labeled this climate injustice, yet international aid remains insufficient.

The UN, World Bank, and IMF have all warned that climate shocks could push Pakistan into permanent dependency unless bold adaptation policies are implemented.

For reference, see UN Climate Change Report for global perspectives.

What Must Be Done Now

Pakistan must stop waiting for others and take immediate action:

1. Invest in resilience – Build flood defenses, rainwater harvesting systems, and solar microgrids.

2. Protect agriculture – Promote drought-resistant seeds and climate-smart farming.

3. Reforestation and mangroves – Natural barriers against floods and coastal erosion.

4. Early warning systems – Save lives before disasters strike.

5. Policy integration – Water, agriculture, energy, and health ministries must coordinate.

Internal link: See how Pakistan’s water crisis deepens climate risks

Conclusion – Time to End Climate Apartheid

Climate apartheid is not just a concept; it’s Pakistan’s reality. The rich are buying safety, while the poor face floods, hunger, and displacement with no escape.

But this crisis also holds an opportunity. With transparent governance, smart investment, and community-driven adaptation, Pakistan can rewrite its climate future.

The clock is ticking. Ending climate apartheid means survival. The choice is ours: collapse under inequality or fight together for resilience.