
Urban centres: SCF concerned about environmental issues
HYDERABAD: The Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) has raised serious concerns over the escalating environmental crisis in Sindh's urban centres, saying big cities like Karachi and Hyderabad are facing an impending ecological breakdown that demands immediate action.
Single-use plastics are clogging our drains, polluting waterways, and posing serious health risks, said Javed Hussain, Executive Director of SCF. By tackling plastic pollution, strengthening environmental laws, and engaging communities, we can restore urban ecosystems and safeguard public health for future generations.
He said in Karachi, the megacity's tree cover has fallen to below 3%, one of the lowest among global megacities, exacerbating the urban heat-island effect. This has led to soaring temperatures, making the already critical environmental situation in the city even worse.
The lack of public waste bins, combined with clogged drainage systems, significantly increases the risk of urban flooding and the spread of waterborne diseases. There is absence of municipal bylaws on waste segregation, water protection, and sustainable construction practices, which only deepens the environmental crisis. Furthermore, environmental education is largely absent from school curricula, preventing the younger generation from developing a sense of ecological responsibility.
SCF has proposed a comprehensive four-point strategy to address the crisis: enforce zoning laws and require Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for all new urban developments to minimise environmental harm; mandate the inclusion of green roofs on public buildings to reduce urban heat, improve air quality, and support biodiversity; implement strict regulations to control plastic use, improve waste disposal systems, and monitor air and water quality through transparent mechanisms with penalties for violations; and launch community-driven 'Clean and Green' initiatives, such as neighbourhood clean-ups, rooftop gardening, and door-to-door recycling, to foster environmental responsibility and public engagement.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
17 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Role of youth stressed to tackle climate challenges
A boat stranded on the shore of Thatta after a flood. As a consequence of climate change, frequency of floods has increased, forcing entire communities living in the coastal areas to uproot themselves. After every devastation, fishermen, along with their meagre belongings are left with little choice to move elsewhere in search of livelihood. PHOTO: JAHANZEB TAHIR (@jt76007) The four-day Youth Leadership for Climate Change workshop, commenced on June 24 at the Makli Ghunghat Khana in Thatta, brought together young climate leaders to address climate adaptation and environmental sustainability actions. The event organised by Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) under the Pakistan Youth Leadership Initiative (PYLI) and supported by the British Council Pakistan, sees participation from 34 young leaders including 11 young females, engaged in intensive sessions focusing on climate resilience, local adaptation strategies, and youth leadership development. Key feature of the event was the Youth-Led Action (YLA) Showcasing Event, where trained youth from earlier PYLI cycles presented their community-based climate models through interactive booths and discussions. On the third day of training a high-level delegation from the British Council including Helen Silvester, Regional Director, and James Hampson, Country Director Pakistan observed the ongoing training and interacted with youth climate leaders. The event was also attended by youth from climate-vulnerable coastal regions.


Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
87pc of people support action to reduce impacts of climate change: survey
LAHORE: An international survey conducted across 17 total countries, including Pakistan, was commissioned by the Global Methane Hub to gauge public support for climate change solutions, particularly efforts to reduce methane pollution. In Pakistan, the survey was conducted in collaboration with LUMS. According to the survey, 87% of Pakistanis support action to reduce the impacts of climate change, with 51% expressing strong support. 80% back efforts specifically aimed at reducing methane emissions, including 44% who strongly support such measures. In Pakistan, public awareness of climate change is remarkably high: 96% of respondents affirmed their belief in climate change, with 71% attributing it to human activities—a figure that aligns with global trends. Among environmental concerns, water quality was ranked as the top issue, with 61% expressing strong concern, followed by air quality at 58% and climate change at 57%. 'Communities that are feeling the most heat—literally—are also the most vocal in calling for climate action,' said Marcelo Mena, CEO of the Global Methane Hub. 'Cutting methane is one of the fastest ways to bring temperatures down, and people know it. It's not just science—it's a direct response to what they're experiencing on the ground.' Amid increasing threats from heatwaves, floods, and worsening air pollution, 44% of Pakistanis expressed strong support for methane-specific climate action. Among the four Asia-Pacific countries surveyed, Pakistan, the Philippines (43%), and Indonesia (59%) all demonstrated a strong demand for policy action on methane, positioning the region as a leader in climate advocacy. 'Communities across Pakistan are already living through the harshest effects of climate change, from extreme heat and floods to droughts and toxic air. Evidence from secondary sources suggests that the country emits significant levels of methane, driven by a large agriculture sector, unmanaged waste, and an aging gas network. This survey is a timely wake-up call, underscoring the need to measure emissions, raise awareness, and implement targeted, practical solutions,' said Dr Naveed Arshad, Director of LUMS Energy Institute and Professor at LUMS. Pakistanis blame large oil and gas companies, waste management corporations, and agricultural producers most for environmental harms. In a separate question, respondents identified oil and gas companies, waste management organisations, and international government systems as the actors most capable of effectively addressing climate change. Vast Majority of Pakistanis Support Action on Methane Pollution, Blame Industry for Harms Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Business Recorder
10-06-2025
- Business Recorder
Urban centres: SCF concerned about environmental issues
HYDERABAD: The Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) has raised serious concerns over the escalating environmental crisis in Sindh's urban centres, saying big cities like Karachi and Hyderabad are facing an impending ecological breakdown that demands immediate action. Single-use plastics are clogging our drains, polluting waterways, and posing serious health risks, said Javed Hussain, Executive Director of SCF. By tackling plastic pollution, strengthening environmental laws, and engaging communities, we can restore urban ecosystems and safeguard public health for future generations. He said in Karachi, the megacity's tree cover has fallen to below 3%, one of the lowest among global megacities, exacerbating the urban heat-island effect. This has led to soaring temperatures, making the already critical environmental situation in the city even worse. The lack of public waste bins, combined with clogged drainage systems, significantly increases the risk of urban flooding and the spread of waterborne diseases. There is absence of municipal bylaws on waste segregation, water protection, and sustainable construction practices, which only deepens the environmental crisis. Furthermore, environmental education is largely absent from school curricula, preventing the younger generation from developing a sense of ecological responsibility. SCF has proposed a comprehensive four-point strategy to address the crisis: enforce zoning laws and require Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for all new urban developments to minimise environmental harm; mandate the inclusion of green roofs on public buildings to reduce urban heat, improve air quality, and support biodiversity; implement strict regulations to control plastic use, improve waste disposal systems, and monitor air and water quality through transparent mechanisms with penalties for violations; and launch community-driven 'Clean and Green' initiatives, such as neighbourhood clean-ups, rooftop gardening, and door-to-door recycling, to foster environmental responsibility and public engagement. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025