# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Climate realities" by Editorial, Published in Dawn on June 13th, 2025:* The editorial discusses *Pakistan*'s urgent *climate crisis* highlighted by *Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb*'s remarks during a post-budget press conference. The *federal capital Islamabad* experienced one of its *hottest days* in recorded history with temperatures reaching *45°C on Wednesday*, just *1.6°C* short of an all-time high. The *Finance Minister* observed that *climate change* is now a daily reality, noting weekly *windstorms* and *hailstorms* in *Islamabad* that never occurred before, beyond just the devastating *2022 floods*. The *Pakistan Economic Survey* released on *Monday* declared *climate change* no longer a myth but an *urgent reality*, emphasizing *Pakistan*'s high vulnerability requiring *reduced global emissions* and improved *local adaptive response strategies*. The country experienced severe climate effects last year including *extreme heat*, *unpredictable rainfall*, and *severe water shortage* that devastated major crops, significantly impacting *economic growth*. With temperatures reaching *50°C* in some parts this week during ongoing *severe heatwaves*, there's growing concern about future disasters without coordinated action. The government allocated *6.9%* of current expenditure budget and *8.2%* of development budget (*Rs700bn total*) for *climate-related initiatives* in the next fiscal year, including a *carbon levy* to discourage fossil fuel use. However, these funds remain insufficient compared to expert assessments. Former *State Bank governor Shamshad Akhtar* noted at the *Breathe Pakistan conference* that *Pakistan* requires *$40-50 billion annually till 2050* to avoid economic devastation. This massive funding gap necessitates concerted *public-private sector* efforts to raise awareness and secure *global climate funds*. The *Finance Minister* acknowledged the media's crucial role, specifically recognizing *Breathe Pakistan* (a *Dawn Media Group initiative*) for raising climate awareness and shaping public discourse for meaningful climate action. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Pakistan* faces an urgent *climate crisis* with *Islamabad* hitting *45°C* and nationwide temperatures reaching *50°C*. The *Finance Minister* emphasized daily climate impacts including weekly storms. The government allocated *Rs700bn* for climate initiatives, but experts say *Pakistan* needs *$40-50bn annually till 2050*. Media initiatives like *Breathe Pakistan* play crucial roles in raising awareness for climate action. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Increase Climate Funding* Secure *$40-50 billion annually* through international climate funds and public-private partnerships. ## *2. Enhance Adaptive Strategies* Develop improved *local adaptive response strategies* for extreme weather events. ## *3. Carbon Emission Controls* Expand *carbon levy* implementation and strengthen fossil fuel reduction policies. ## *4. Water Management Systems* Build resilient water infrastructure to combat *severe water shortages* affecting crops. ## *5. Heat Action Plans* Implement comprehensive *heatwave response systems* for temperatures exceeding *45-50°C*. ## *6. Agricultural Adaptation* Develop *drought-resistant crops* and climate-smart agricultural practices. ## *7. Public-Private Partnerships* Foster *coordinated efforts* between government and private sector for climate funding. ## *8. Media Awareness Campaigns* Expand initiatives like *Breathe Pakistan* to build public discourse on climate action. ## *9. International Cooperation* Strengthen diplomatic efforts for *global emissions reduction* and climate financing. ## *10. Emergency Preparedness* Establish rapid response systems for *windstorms*, *hailstorms*, and extreme weather events. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *Islamabad* temperature reached *45°C on Wednesday*, *1.6°C* short of all-time high. - Some parts of *Pakistan* experienced temperatures up to *50°C* this week. - Government allocated *6.9%* of current expenditure and *8.2%* of development budget to climate initiatives. - Total climate-related budget allocation is *Rs700bn* for next fiscal year. - *Pakistan* needs *$40-50 billion annually till 2050* according to expert assessments. - *2022 floods* were mentioned as a previous major climate disaster. - *Pakistan Economic Survey* released on *Monday*. - *Breathe Pakistan conference* held earlier this year. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Pakistan* ranks *8th* among countries most affected by climate change (*Climate Risk Index*, 2024). - *2022 floods* affected *33 million people* and caused *$30 billion* in damages (*UNDP*, 2023). - *Pakistan* contributes less than *1%* to global emissions but faces severe impacts (*UNFCCC*, 2024). - *Climate financing gap* for developing countries is *$2.4 trillion annually* (*UN Climate*, 2024). - *Heatwaves* in *Pakistan* have increased by *200%* since *1980s* (*PMD*, 2024). - *Agricultural losses* from climate change cost *Pakistan $3.8 billion annually* (*World Bank*, 2024). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *What temperature did Islamabad reach on Wednesday?* A. 50°C *B. 45°C* C. 48°C D. 42°C ### 2. *What percentage of development budget is allocated for climate initiatives?* A. 6.9% *B. 8.2%* C. 10% D. 5% ### 3. *How much funding does Pakistan need annually till 2050 according to experts?* A. $30-40 billion *B. $40-50 billion* C. $50-60 billion D. $20-30 billion ### 4. *Who mentioned Pakistan's climate funding requirements at Breathe Pakistan conference?* A. Muhammad Aurangzeb *B. Shamshad Akhtar* C. Finance Secretary D. Climate Minister ### 5. *What is the total climate-related budget allocation for next fiscal year?* A. Rs500bn *B. Rs700bn* C. Rs800bn D. Rs600bn # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Poignant* (دل کو چھونے والا) – Deeply moving or touching emotionally 2. *Vulnerability* (کمزوری) – State of being exposed to harm or damage 3. *Existential* (وجودی) – Relating to existence or survival 4. *Devastating* (تباہ کن) – Causing severe destruction or damage 5. *Inescapable* (ناگزیر) – Impossible to avoid or evade 6. *Dread* (خوف) – Great fear or apprehension 7. *Coordinated* (مربوط) – Organized and working together effectively 8. *Substantial* (کافی) – Large in amount, extent, or intensity 9. *Assessments* (تشخیص) – Evaluations or appraisals of situations 10. *Concerted* (مشترکہ) – Done with great effort and determination 11. *Devastation* (تباہی) – Great destruction or damage 12. *Acknowledged* (تسلیم کیا) – Accepted or admitted the existence of 13. *Discourse* (گفتگو) – Written or spoken communication or debate 14. *Momentum* (رفتار) – Force or speed of movement or progress 15. *Levy* (ٹیکس) – Tax or charge imposed by authority 16. *Adaptive* (موافقت پذیر) – Able to adjust to new conditions 17. *Unpredictable* (غیر متوقع) – Not able to be predicted or foreseen 18. *Hailstorms* (اولے کی بارش) – Storms with falling ice pellets 19. *Windstorms* (آندھی) – Violent winds causing damage 20. *Emissions* (اخراج) – Discharge of gases or pollutants 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. 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Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *dawn.com* *Climate realities* *Editorial* *3–4 minutes* EVEN as he faced a difficult crowd at the finance ministry's post-budget press conference, it seems that Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had other issues on his mind too. With the federal capital experiencing one of its hottest days in recorded history — the temperature outside had soared to 45°C on Wednesday, just 1.6°C shy of an all-time high — he could not help but share some observations about the weather. "It is no longer just about the floods of 2022 — those of us living in Islamabad now experience windstorms and hailstorms every week. This never happened before. We are living climate change day in and day out," he told the media present. It was a poignant moment: a powerful minister expressing vulnerability in the face of what is often described as Pakistan's most pressing existential challenge, one which should be a cause of common concern. "Climate change is no longer a myth but an urgent reality. The high vulnerability of Pakistan calls for reducing global emissions and creating improved adaptive response strategies locally," the Pakistan Economic Survey, released on Monday, proclaimed. According to the Survey, the country experienced particularly severe effects of the changing climate last year, including extreme heat and unpredictable rainfall. Meanwhile, a severe water shortage devastated major crops, leaving a significant dent in Pakistan's economic growth. With large parts of the country still in the grip of a severe heatwave as these words were being written — temperatures had risen to as high as 50°C in some parts earlier this week — there is an inescapable sense of dread about what further disasters loom if coordinated action is not taken. The government has allocated 6.9pc of its current expenditure budget and 8.2pc of its development budget for the next fiscal year to various climate-related initiatives. It has also imposed a carbon levy to discourage the use of fossil fuels. The total funds allocated come to a little more than Rs700bn, which, while substantial on paper, are still far short of what the country needs according to expert assessments. At the Breathe Pakistan conference earlier this year, former State Bank governor Shamshad Akhtar noted that Pakistan has an annual funding requirement of $40-50bn till 2050 if it wishes to avoid economic devastation. That number seems impossible to achieve without a concerted effort between the public and private sectors to raise awareness and press for the release of global climate funds. At one point during his post-budget briefing, Mr Aurangzeb acknowledged the important role the media can play in this regard. He singled out Breathe Pakistan, a Dawn Media Group initiative, for helping raise climate awareness. The recognition highlighted how the media can shape public discourse and build momentum for meaningful climate action. *Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2025*