As 700 Die in Pakistan from Extreme Heat, Pakistanis Deny Climate Change

[unhappycamper]

Last edited Wed Jun 24, 2015, 07:17 AM - Edit history (1)

http://www.juancole.com/2015/06/pakistan-extreme-pakistanis.html

As 700 Die in Pakistan from Extreme Heat, Pakistanis Deny Climate Change
By Juan Cole | Jun. 24, 2015

Pakistan is in the midst of an extreme heat wave with highs around 110 degrees F., which has killed 700 persons in the past 3 days. Three weeks ago it was India’s turn, when extreme heat killed 1200 in the country’s south.

Despite the severe dangers to Pakistan posed by climate change, opinion polls show that only about a quarter of Pakistanis view the issue as a powerful threat. In contrast, over 80 percent of South Koreans are afraid of climate change.

South Asia is already unbearably hot in the summer. I’ve lived there in May and June, which are the worst, before the monsoon rains come. The heat is unbearable, but many Pakistanis have no choice but to bear it. Pakistan’s electricity capacity is inadequate and there are frequent electricity outages, which they call “load shedding” (our “brownouts”). Hot weather and drought hurt electricity production, because about half the country’s electricity is generated by hydro, i.e. dams. When the water levels decline, not as much electricity is made.

Average temperatures are set to go up by at least 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit because of the carbon dioxide we have already spilled into the atmosphere by burning petroleum, coal and natural gas. That will put Pakistan’s temperatures up to more like 114. It will go on up from there if we don’t find ways to stop emitting so much CO2.

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When downtown Miami and Boston and New York are under a foot of water, perhaps our Republican friends may do something about it.

[Duppers]

1. Update: some better news: Wind, rain cools Pakistan

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141125606

[MisterP]

2. often green moves are seen as a sinister imperialist plot to hobble the economy

since the 40s Third-World leaders have RUN on promising leveled forests, relocated tribes, dams and coal plants everywhere, and a population that doubles every week

[AuntPatsy]

3. .