KARACHI: Karachi’s daytime temperatures have increased by 1.6°C and nighttime temperatures by 2.4°C over the past 60 years, highlighting the growing threat of extreme heat in the city. Experts have called for the establishment of 10,000 urban forests, community cooling centres, solar-powered cooling systems and improved early warning mechanisms to protect residents from heatwaves.
The findings were shared during a training session titled “Extreme Heat, Climate Change and Karachi,” organised jointly by the Environment Committee of the Karachi Press Club and the Climate Action Centre for journalists and media professionals.
Climate Action Centre Karachi Director and environmentalist Yasir Hussain led the three-hour session, discussing the health impacts of extreme heat, humidity, water scarcity, El Niño and the shrinking Indus Delta.
He described the situation as a climate crisis, stressing that the response must match the scale and severity of the challenges. Participants were also informed that power outages lasting up to 10 hours a day in some areas could limit access to fans and other cooling facilities during heatwaves.
The session reviewed Karachi’s proposed cooling plan, which includes establishing 10,000 urban forests, strengthening heatwave early warning systems, incorporating heat mitigation measures into Karachi’s Master Plan 2047, preparing healthcare facilities for emergencies and setting up community cooling centres.
Experts also highlighted practical measures such as applying reflective coatings to rooftops, improving ventilation, providing shade and promoting solar energy to reduce heat exposure.
Karachi Press Club Environment Committee Secretary Fahmida Yousufi said the committee aimed to provide journalists with a platform to understand and discuss environmental challenges.
Karachi Press Club President Fazil Jamili and Secretary Aslam Khan also attended the session. The event concluded with a discussion on the health risks faced by outdoor workers, women, children and older people during extreme heat, alongside guidance on accurate and effective climate reporting.