By Kashif Hussain

Our planet is like a nurturing mother because in every color and every fragrance of it, life resides — but today, climate change and fisheries issues are threatening this beauty. Climate change is no longer just a scientific term, but has become part of our daily life. Every year, a new record of heat is set, rains either decrease or bring devastation. Forests are being cut down and rivers are drying up. One example of this is a canal in our village, which for the past many years has been lying dry, even though it used to flow before.

According to the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), such drying water bodies reflect a broader national crisis of falling groundwater and surface water depletion

Water Scarcity and Groundwater Depletion

Underground water is depleting rapidly. In 2015, villagers dug tube wells to 600 feet, but now they must reach 1,200 feet. This depletion threatens farming, especially for those relying on underground water for irrigation. Consequently, villagers wait in queues at tube wells to collect drinking water. My own village has also suffered from the destructive impacts of climate change.

Last year’s flood affected many crops and homes, but this pain taught one lesson — if we remain silent even today, then tomorrow only regret will remain. These floods washed away fertile topsoil, reducing future agricultural yields—a hidden cost requiring active soil restoration programs. To address climate vulnerability, authorities launched large projects like the Living Indus Initiative to restore the Indus ecosystem and strengthen resilience.

Deforestation and the Timber Mafia’s Role in Climate Change

Among the many causes of climate change, one major reason is the timber mafia, whose activities are causing severe damage to forests. In this regard, we met with the district deputy commissioner and discussed the matter of government-led tree cutting along the bank of a small river in the district. Fortunately, the response was positive. But illegal logging continues to threaten Pakistan’s forests, and experts suggest using satellite-based forest monitoring systems like Global Forest Watch alongside provincial helplines to curb the timber mafia. At the same time, climate funding has also been directed toward enforcement — for example, funds have been allocated for establishing an Environment Protection Force in Punjab.

Hope Through Reforestation and Carbon Absorption

Despite impacts on every sector, hope remains alive. Each tree planted, water drop saved, and voice raised actively reduces carbon dioxide. An average-sized tree absorbs about 48 pounds annually. Forest scientists note that while this figure varies depending on species and age, widespread tree planting combined with protection of existing forests can significantly offset emissions.

Climate Change and Fisheries: Warming Waters and Economic Loss

In recent years, higher temperatures have warmed water in some fish farms. This slows fish growth, increases disease spread, causes farmers financial losses, and raises fish market prices. Climate change also severely affects marine life—their unseen suffering would surprise us. To improve this situation, we must reduce plastic usage at the individual level. Hence, fish and other aquatic creatures can breathe a sigh of relief.

When aquatic life is safe and prosperous, the fishing industry will also grow. Scientists also recommend climate-smart aquaculture practices. These include shading ponds with nets, installing aerators to maintain oxygen levels, and introducing heat-tolerant species like tilapia. Warmer water naturally holds less dissolved oxygen, making fish more vulnerable to disease outbreaks. In coastal waters, acidification is another silent threat, harming breeding grounds and reducing fish populations. These trends show how climate change and fisheries are tightly linked. It indicates how it affects both ecosystems and the livelihoods that depend on them.

Agriculture, Pesticides, and the Decline of Honey Production

The production of unsafe chemical sprays is also indirectly increasing climate change. The misuse of agricultural pesticides and sprays is harming crops and trees. One reason for this is the lack of effective awareness among farmers. According to reports, Pakistan’s honey exports have declined. One important reason for this decline is the excessive use of chemicals in agriculture. For bees, natural food has now taken a hybrid form. Due to the shortage of pure organic plants, the taste of honey has changed. This change has caused honey to lose the sweetness it once had. It affects both the production and export of honey.

So, the youth should first gain awareness about the climate and then guide the farmers in their villages. A proven solution is to create bee corridors — strips of pesticide-free flowering plants connecting orchards and fields, as practiced in Europe. In addition, farmers and beekeepers can cooperate by scheduling pesticide spraying outside of blooming periods, reducing harm to pollinators. A proven solution is to create bee corridors — strips of pesticide-free flowering plants connecting orchards and fields, as practiced in Europe under the EU Pollinators Initiative.

Encouragingly, the federal budget has made small but notable allocations such as green skills, water quality, and GMO regulation, showing that institutional support for safer practices is growing. The interplay of pesticides, honey production, and fisheries illustrates that climate change and fisheries impacts are interconnected across food systems and markets.

Youth Action and Community Resilience Against Climate Change

If the youth wish, they can make every city and village climate-resilient. We must pledge that we will not just complain, but take practical steps. If we raise our voices today, tomorrow will be a better Pakistan. Play your part, because this earth is not only the government’s responsibility — it is also ours. For this, youth-led climate brigades in villages could provide practical guidance on pesticide-free farming, pollinator protection, rainwater harvesting, and fish pond management. These grassroots initiatives also connect with larger frameworks. Pakistan received funding from the Adaptation Fund for climate resilience projects. The Punjab Clean Air Program will cut millions of metric tons of CO₂ in the coming years.

Such flows of climate finance, if connected to local youth and communities, can turn awareness into action. By focusing community efforts on climate change and fisheries, we can help protect both aquatic ecosystems and the livelihoods that depend on them.

Kashif Hussain is the District Coordinator for Lakki Marwat at Progressive Climate Foundation (PCF).