Analysis of Seasonal Climate Variability and Resulting Environmental Vulnerabilities in Selected Cities of Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan is one the developing countries that have been struck hard by climate change although it contributes very small in greenhouse gas emissions. Pakistan's vulnerability is high because of its dependence on agriculture which is highly climate sensitive. To cope with the potential impacts of climate change the policy and institutional setup has been formulated. This research aims to study the vulnerability and adaptation. Vulnerability in terms of people's social and economic wellbeing is termed as contextual in contrast to seeing climate change as the ultimate threat to the exposure unit and adapting accordingly is termed as outcome vulnerability. Seeing vulnerability in contextual way is one of the key features of achieving sustainable development. Institutional and policy makers have many challenges for an effective implementation of climate change adaptive strategies but the main gap lies in lack of participation of vulnerable communities in any level of policy making. There is a need of climate change education and awareness at governmental and local level which will help in capacity building of researchers, policy makers and local communities.