Geography in the News: How Pakistan’s floods are linked to climate change

The devastating floods in Pakistan are a ‘wake-up call’ to the world on the threats of climate change, experts have warned.

Monsoon rains have caused devastating flash floods and landslides along the Indus and Kabul rivers, leaving millions homeless, destroying buildings, bridges and roads and leaving huge areas under water.

Key stats:

People - Currently the death toll stands at 1,100+, with 1,600+ injured. 33 million people have been affected.

Homes - 325,000 houses have been destroyed, with another 733,000 damaged

Farming - 735,000 livestock have been lost and over 3 million acres of crops affected, wiping out cotton, wheat, vegetable and fruit harvests

Maps and satellite show the extent of devastation – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/wor...

Pakistan has seen record breaking rain this summer – global warming increases air and sea temperatures, leading to more evaporation, meaning that warmer air is holding more moisture, making monsoon rains more intense. However, there is also another factor at play in Pakistan – the country contains more glacial ice than anywhere outside of the poles. Climate change means that these giant glaciers are melting rapidly, creating more than 3,000 lakes, with some at risk of bursting.

Pakistan is feeling a sense of injustice here – the country currently contributes less than 1% of global greenhouse gases, and is struggling to provide early warning systems and protective infrastructure, claiming that even rich nations would have been overwhelmed by the extent of flooding this summer.

Read the full article here – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/sci...