PAKISTAN’S CLIMATE CRISIS: AN INTEGRATED ANALYSIS OF FLOODS, GLACIAL MELT, DROUGHTS, WATER SCARCITY AND BIODIVERSITY LOSS

Abstract

Pakistan faces an escalating and interconnected climate crisis, ranking among world's most vulnerable countries. This integrated analysis examines five core hazards: floods, glacial melt, droughts, water scarcity, as well as biodiversity loss. Using a primarily qualitative, the exploratory approach incorporating descriptive quantitative trend analysis and thematic content analysis of the secondary sources (2000-2024), the research reveals these hazards are intensifying in the frequency and severity, driven by rising temperatures besides anthropogenic pressures. Their compounding effects create vulnerability loop: catastrophic floods (e.g., 2022: 33 million affected, >$30bn damage) cause displacement and infrastructure loss; the recurrent droughts cripple agriculture and drive migration; the rapid glacial melt threatens long-term water security while triggering floods; critical water scarcity (<900 m³/capita) undermines the food systems; and biodiversity collapse degrades ecosystem services. The results provide significant and leading information in highlighting an urgent need for integrated climate governance, resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions & significantly scaled-up adaptation finance to address this multi-faceted emergency in particular context.