By Muhammad Saad Ismail Khokhar
What is the Issue?
We’ve always heard that all the hard work and struggle our parents put in was for our well-being. To make our lives comfortable and easy, they’ve done everything—waking up early, working exhausting 9-to-5 jobs, all to put food on the table. But what if I told you they forgot to do the most important thing? Yes, the most important one. What use is money and luxury when the condition of the planet no longer allows us to enjoy it?
As global warming intensifies day by day, our children are losing something essential that we enjoyed in our childhood—going outside and playing with friends. When was the last time your kids asked for permission to play outdoors? I’m aware of other concerns, but because of extreme weather, children often avoid going outside, or we stop them from doing so. This issue isn’t confined to Pakistan or South Asia. Rising temperatures are causing problems across the globe. In 2024, the number of children affected by heatwaves doubled compared to 2023. In May alone, 26 million students in Punjab missed school due to extreme weather. Globally, one-third of all children are affected.
A Global Problem
Some countries are facing horrifying numbers of affected children. Andorra, San Marino, and Albania report 100% of their children are impacted. India, with 170 million affected children, has the highest number due to its population size. This is not just a problem for developing countries—developed nations are suffering as well. Italy has 88.2% of children affected, Switzerland 85.9%, and Spain 72.7%. A recent report also highlights how extreme weather affects children in various ways, from physical health to mental well-being and educational loss. Children fainting in class or missing school entirely due to heat are becoming more common.
How often do we still ignore the fact that planting trees isn’t just the duty of the government or NGOs?
Steps We’ve Already Taken
Every year in Pakistan, we have a tree plantation drive under government supervision, and this continues despite changes in administration. But what are we doing as individuals? Have you done anything to ensure your children will inherit a better world than you did?
Different countries are also taking steps to combat heatwaves and related issues, such as:
– Seville’s ‘policy of shade
– Medellín’s green corridors for citizens
– Abu Dhabi’s self-shading tower blocks
– Los Angeles’ white paint experiment against heatwaves
– Sydney’s tree plan
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, many countries are working on this issue—whether in Pakistan or Spain. However, we know these efforts are not enough. We must increase the pace and take serious precautions to avoid worsening conditions. Some crucial steps include:
1. Recognizing this as a global issue.
2. Starting a global awareness campaign to educate people about the problem.
3. Creating an international collaborative environment to understand the causes and possible solutions, so we can tackle the issue more effectively.
Following these steps can give us hope for a better future and a better world for our children, where they can enjoy this beautiful planet without fear or restriction.
