In Pakistan, most people would likely scoff if you told them climate change wasn't a problem but an opportunity. This skepticism stems from past experiences where they've missed numerous chances to capitalise on situations arising from problems like biodiversity loss or pollution.

Instead of mitigating the social costs of pollution to save on healthcare expenses — which are nearly double — they opted to pay higher medical bills while consistently ignoring the underlying pollution issues. Consequently, they now suffer from the health impacts of pollution alongside increasing poverty levels. Few believed then, and many still don't believe now, that there's a direct link between pollution and their current predicament.

Anyone concerned about animal welfare often faces the objection that human lives are at stake, so worrying about "dumb" creatures incapable of thought or feeling is misplaced. What they fail to grasp is that fewer species mean a weaker ecosystem, less able to withstand the impact of pollution, which ultimately contributes to their poverty.

In Pakistan, a staggering 68% of the population is either unwilling to learn about climate change or completely unaware of it, beyond the discomfort of intense summer heat.

Sadly, even those who are knowledgeable about its devastating consequences often fail to reduce their own carbon footprint or adapt to its effects. Furthermore, a significant number prioritise profit, exploiting the issue to........

© The Express Tribune