Sargodha: Speakers at a seminar have emphasized the need to adopt the emerging trends in engineering, management and sciences at earliest to avoid the consequence of climate change disasters.
Addressing a seminar titled “Climate Change and Water Resources of Pakistan” on Tuesday, they urged to take steps for mitigating impacts of climate change that is affecting developing countries, including Pakistan.
The moot was organized by the Department of Earth Science, Sargodha University (SU) to address the environmental issues of Pakistan.
The speakers called participation of every individual was necessary to save environment in the best interest of people, animals and other creatures. They warned that humanity has to face inevitable and unpalatable consequences which are certainly dangerous if we fail to address the global climate change issues.
Dr Amjad Masood, Scientific Officer of Global Change Impact Studies Center (GCISC), Pakistan shared his thoughts on “Climate Change and Water Resources of Pakistan; Emerging Trends in Engineering, Management and Sciences”.
He informed the seminar that by the decade 2006–2015, human activity had warmed the world by 0.87°C (±0.12°C) compared pre-industrial times (1850–1900) and if the current warming rate continues, the world would reach human–induced global warming of 1.5°C around 2040.
Dr Masood said “In 1947, per capita water availability of Pakistan was 5000 cubic meter, which has currently decreased to around 1000 cubic meter, and projected to decrease to 800 cubic meters per capita by the year 2025.These reservoirs can store water equivalent to 30 days of consumption, whereas the standard minimum requirement is 120 days.”
He said as glaciers were melting at a fast pace and water contamination was increasing and due to the non-existent storage capacity, natural water resources were being wasted every year and if this continues, future generation would face severe problems due to scarcity rather than absence of natural water.
Dr Muhammad Azmat, assistant professor of National University of Science and Technology (NUST) expressed his views on “State and fate of water resources to changing climate in Pakistan”. He said that government should take various initiatives to store water in low-lying areas so that underground water level could be maintained.
Dr Muhammad Omar, Chairman Department of Earth Science, Sargodha University said that the youth need to be provided a unified and undisputed research agenda. The younger generation is energetic and motivated, their capacity must be built on the technical front around environmental and climate change issues, he added.
At the end, souvenirs, gifts and certificates were awarded among the participants.
