Hazards of climate change highlighted

MULTAN, Jul 21 (APP): In a joint initiative to raise awareness about the impact of climate change and the importance of tree plantation, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef (MNS) University of Agriculture Multan and Nishtar Medical University organized an informative seminar on campus.
The seminar was attended by a large number of students and faculty members. The chief guest was the Head of Community Medicine, Nishtar Medical University.
Dr. Muqarrab Ali, Associate Professor at MNS University, briefed participants on the causes of climate change, the damages being caused by environmental shifts, and practical steps individuals and institutions can take to reduce their impact. He shared alarming statistics, noting that the average lifespan of the common person is decreasing by 1.9% due to air pollution, with an estimated reduction of 2.7 years in life expectancy across Pakistan.
Dr. Ali emphasized that with Pakistan’s forest cover at only around 4%, the situation is critical. He pointed out that while Pakistan has only 3–4 trees per person, the international averages are significantly higher – 12,000 in Canada and 3,280 in Australia per individual.
“Young people must play a leading role in planting and maintaining trees to secure the future,” Dr. Ali urged.
Vice Chancellor of MNS University, Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, shared his vision of increasing green cover across South Punjab through coordinated efforts with district governments, universities, and local communities. He reiterated the university’s commitment to conducting large-scale plantation drives to combat climate change.
At the conclusion of the event, the administration of Nishtar Medical University appreciated the initiative taken by MNS University of Agriculture and expressed full support for future collaborative efforts.