The Climate Reality Project -- Islamabad

What can change in a day? Everything. On September 14, the world will focus its attention on the truth about the climate crisis. For 24 hours, we will all live in reality. Pick a faraway place or a city near you. Make it yours for one day. We’re hitting every time zone — but only once. 7 p.m. in your time zone. Choose a location and get involved.

Islamabad --

The capital of Pakistan, Islamabad has grown leaps and bounds in the last 50 years. An intellectual center in Pakistan, Islamabad is also home to one of the world’s largest universities.

In the summer of 2010, parts of Pakistan were inundated by the most devastating flood in the country’s history, which put more than one-fifth of the country underwater. Brought about by unusually intense rainfall, the flood ravaged northwest Pakistan, killing nearly 2000 people and causing massive damage to roads, railways, homes, schools, health facilities, and much more. In total, nearly 20 million people were affected, with damage estimates exceeding $40 billion.

The 2010 flood is the kind of event that scientists say will become more frequent in our changing climate. It also shows how vulnerable Pakistan’s food system is. For example, the flooding of 2010 led to the loss of crops and livestock and continues to impact planting seasons. On top of that, rising temperatures are causing glaciers at the headwaters of the Indus River to melt, reducing the water supply and increasing the risk of food shortages.