SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS.

Green Growth in Pakistan: A Necessary Paradigm Shift

With the ratification of an IMF bailout on May 12, Pakistan has now embarked on a difficult journey towards long-term economic stability. Some principal indicators suggest the extent of the pain: Inflation is expected to run around 18 percent in 2019–20. The Pakistani rupee has fallen significantly against the dollar, eroding national buying power, and the IMF projects a further fall, to 198.8 rupees per dollar, a 47 percent decline, by 2023. For a nation whose average income per capita is roughly $1,500 per year, this means carnage. Inflation is putting severe pressure on commerce, forcing firms to downsize or freeze investment due to high volatility and low returns. At the same time, the price of a basket of basic necessities is rising, making life increasingly difficult for the average Pakistani

As the soul-searching begins over the nation’s economic character and future direction, it is useful to consider a previous economic crisis of even larger scale, the Financial Crisis of 2008. Where observers had predicted, in the wake of that event, a worldwide reversion to fossil-fuel-guzzling, pollution-belching industries, we witnessed instead a global increase in sustainability efforts, as tracked by the S&P Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

Surprising? Possibly. Folly? Not at all. These efforts to go green actually made, and today still make, strategic sense. Unsustainable fossil fuels and environmentally irresponsible economic activities have serious costs, including fuel costs, collateral damage, and public relations nightmares (looking for a diesel Volkswagen, anyone?).
At this moment of economic decision, Pakistan has an opportunity to follow the green path. 

No longer are we an agricultural nation as of old. The largest share of Pakistan’s economy, 61.2 percent, is now in services, while industry and agriculture make up less than 40 percent. Sure, one might give Pakistan a pass: Why should a country whose GDP is less than $1,500 per person concern itself with civic notions of sustainability? With inflation hovering around 18 percent, new investment in sustainability is not encouraged by Pakistan’s macroeconomic environment. Sustainability may make sense in the long term, but the short-term cost of going green can be a substantial obstacle, a form of path dependency that has so far discouraged a green transformation.

The Asia Foundation in Pakistan has been encouraging coordinated thinking about the water, energy, and food sectors to alleviate the current policy incoherence among the nation’s many environmental stakeholders. Our national awareness program on the water-energy-food nexus, part of our Environmental Sustainability and Economic Development Program here in Pakistan, holds consultations with leading activists, academics, and government bureaucrats to develop a strategy to institutionalize coordinated, nexus-based thinking in these three interrelated areas.

The major challenge is to instill the value of sustainability in Pakistan’s private sector, and pressure from civil society will be essential to achieve this. The Asia Foundation in Pakistan has been conducting advocacy campaigns among major stakeholders to catalyze a conversation at all levels—from students to the highest echelons of government. Now, we need to build on this foundation. The industrial and service sectors provide well over three-quarters of our GDP. Given this, we need a new “sustainability platform” to help these engines of the private economy account for environmental costs and benefits. One promising example is PwC’s Total Impact Measurement & Management platform, which allows companies to calculate the economic, social, environmental, and tax consequences of their operations. Pakistan must adopt such platforms, localize them, and use them to promote an outlook that favors sustainability. Then, Pakistan’s future can be both green and prosperous.

Save Environment

8 Simple Ways to Help the Environment

Every little thing YOU do really makes a difference!

There are classes and clubs focused on various social issues, and these places teach students how they can change these issues. One popular cause that has been popular in recent years is the helping the environment and preserving our resource

There are several ways that you – yes, YOU- can help protect this planet we call Earth.

Use Reusable Bags

Plastic grocery-type bags that get thrown out end up in landfills or in other parts of the environment. These can suffocate animals who get stuck in them or may mistake them for food. Also, it takes a while for the bags to decompose. Whether you are shopping for food, clothes or books, use a reusable bag. This cuts down on litter and prevents animals from getting a hold of them. There are even some stores (such as Target) that offer discounts for using reusable bags! These bags are useful for things other than shopping as well. I have heard of people using reusable bags when they move! If you forget your bags at home, buy a new one. Better yet, keep a couple bags in your car so you never leave home without them (just make sure you remember you put them there)! If you are in a position where you need to use the plastic bags, reuse them the next time you go shopping, or use them for something else. Just do not be so quick to throw them out! There are some states that are outlawing or charging extra for using plastic bags. Using reusable bags helps the environment AND your budget!

Recycle

Recycling is such a simple thing to do, but so many people don’t do it. Many garbage disposal companies offer recycling services, so check with the company you use to see if they can help you get started! It is as simple as getting a bin and putting it out with your trash cans for free! Also, check with your RA to see if recycling options are offered in your dorm. Another way to recycle is to look for recycling cans near trashcans. Instead of throwing recyclables in the trash with your non-recyclables, make a point to take an extra step to locate recycling cans around your campus.

Use a Reusable Beverage Containers

Instead of buying individually-packaged drinks, consider buying a bulk container of the beverage you want and buying a reusable water bottle. Not only will this help the environment, but it will also help you save money since you are buying a bulk container. Many campuses offer water fountains designed for drinking as well as for refilling reusable water bottles. Make use of these fountains throughout the day when you finish off the initial beverage. Along these lines, many restaurants offer reusable containers for drinks. If you go to a certain place a lot, consider buying one of these containers to help minimize waste. A lot of coffee shops even offer a discount to customers who use a reusable container for their drinks. Starbucks, as an example, offers a small discount for customers who do this. Saving the environment and money? Win-win.

PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN.

Chemicals of major Public Health concern

Chemicals are part of our daily life. All living and inanimate matter is made up of chemicals and virtually every manufactured product involves the use of chemicals. Many chemicals can, when properly used, significantly contribute to the improvement of our quality of life, health and well-being. But other chemicals are highly hazardous and can negatively affect our health and environment when improperly managed.

For further information on 10 chemicals or groups of chemicals of major public health concern, please consult the following documents

1. Air pollution
2. Arsenic
3. Asbestos
4. enzene

When you are out on the streets, don’t forget that you are a responsible citizen of Pakistan. It is your duty not to throw litter on the ground. Keep a small bag with you where you can collect trash—plastic bottles, juice boxes and any wrappers.

When you are taking a road trip in Pakistan and you want to enjoy every bit of the natural beauty that you see on your way, it is your duty to keep the roads and places you visit clean and tidy by not throwing litter around. Inculcate this habit in your children as well by asking them not to throw trash outside. Give them small incentives to collect as much trash as they can at any of these tourist sites. Contribute your bit in keeping your streets and roads clean.

PLANT MORE TREES

This is more of a drive. A ‘10-billion tree tsunami project’ has been launched by PM Imran Khan for a clean and green Pakistan. Many saplings have been planted, more are in progress and will soon be planted across the country. This is being done on the massive scale. Individuals can also participate in beautifying their streets. Plant a neem tree, it is easy to maintain, requires less water and gives ample shade.

USE BIODEGRADABLE STUFF

Biodegradable products are made from materials that are renewable and recyclable and are a part of sustainable living. That means the waste generated from these products won’t go in a landfill site. Some brands have introduced paper bags embedded with seeds. So, even if someone throws them away the seeds can be converted into plants, or you can take out the seeds and plant them yourself.