Global Warming in Pakistan

A Real Threat Felt Across Seasons

After spending over two years in Istanbul, I recently returned in January 2025. Over this time, I’ve noticed a disturbing shift in the seasons, something we’ve all felt but maybe don’t talk about enough. Last year, during the summer of 2024, I visited Pakistan. Summers in Pakistan are typically scorching, but that year it was different—unbearably hotter than usual. And now, returning to Istanbul this winter, the cold feels softer, almost muted. Winter seems less like winter.  

These personal experiences are just small parts of a much larger picture. The world is warming, and it’s not just a headline anymore—it’s something you feel in the air, under the sun, and even during the chill of winter. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2023 was one of the hottest years on record. Global temperatures have risen by approximately 1.1°C (2°F) since pre-industrial times. While this might seem like a small change, its effects are massive and growing.  

The Numbers Don’t Lie  

In 2024, Pakistan experienced an extreme heatwave, with temperatures soaring over 50°C (122°F) in some areas. This kind of heat is not just uncomfortable; it’s dangerous. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heatwaves now cause thousands of deaths annually, and the frequency of these extreme events has tripled over the past few decades.  

Meanwhile, Europe, including cities like Istanbul, has been experiencing milder winters. According to the European Environment Agency, winter temperatures in Europe have increased by 1.3°C (2.3°F) since the 1960s. Snowfall is decreasing, and ski seasons are getting shorter, impacting both the environment and industries reliant on winter tourism.  

What’s Behind the Shift?  

The primary driver of these changes is the increase in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane in our atmosphere. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes have caused CO2 levels to surge by over 50% since 1750. This traps more heat, disrupts weather patterns, and accelerates the melting of polar ice caps, leading to rising sea levels and climate anomalies.  

Why It Matters  

These shifts aren’t just about discomfort. Hotter summers strain water supplies, disrupt agriculture, and increase the risk of wildfires. Warmer winters can affect ecosystems, leading to imbalances like early plant blooming or insect infestations. The impacts are interconnected and affect everyone.

What Can We Do?  

While governments and organizations are key players in tackling climate change, individuals have a role too. Reducing waste, using energy-efficient appliances, and cutting down on single-use plastics can make a difference. Advocacy also matters—demanding stronger climate policies and supporting sustainable businesses helps create larger-scale change.  

Returning to Istanbul this winter has made me realize that these changes are no longer abstract. They’re here, affecting the seasons, the air we breathe, and the world we leave behind for future generations. Global warming is real, and it’s up to all of us to do something about it—before it’s too late.

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Money Over Morals: A Harsh Reality

In today’s world, people often judge others based on money instead of their character or actions. It’s sad to see how wealth has become more important than kindness, honesty, or good deeds. It feels like the true value of a person doesn’t matter anymore if they don’t have money.

Take marriage, for example. Love and understanding should be the most important things, but for many families, money matters more. Parents look at how rich a man is instead of whether he will care for and respect their daughter. If he can show off expensive gifts or a wealthy lifestyle, he is seen as a good match. It doesn’t matter if he’s kind or responsible. Marriage, which should be about love and partnership, has turned into a deal. It’s like buying and selling, which is heartbreaking.

The same thing happens in education. A good education should be about talent and hard work, but now it’s about money. Rich families can send their kids to the best schools, hire private tutors, and buy every advantage. Meanwhile, talented but poor children don’t get the same chances. And if you have enough money, you can even pay for a degree without studying much. The value of real learning is being replaced by shortcuts that only the rich can afford.

Healthcare is another sad example. If you’re rich, you can go to the best hospitals, get the best doctors, and afford expensive treatments. But if you’re poor, you have to wait in long lines, struggle in crowded hospitals, or worse, go without treatment. Many lives are lost simply because someone couldn’t pay for care. How is it fair that money decides who gets to live and who doesn’t?

This happens everywhere. People respect those with money, even if they’re rude or dishonest. But a poor person, no matter how good they are, is ignored. A rich man’s opinion is valued, while a poor man’s truth is dismissed. 

It’s not right. A person’s worth should come from their actions, not their wallet. Good deeds, honesty, and kindness should matter more than wealth. But now, it feels like being good isn’t enough. You need money to be respected, to be heard, or even to get basic dignity.

We are losing the real values that make us human. If we keep living like this, the world will become a place where money is all that matters, and humanity will be forgotten. It’s time to change. We need to respect people for who they are, not how much they own. Wealth can buy comfort, but it can never buy true respect or honor. Let’s not forget what really makes someone valuable.

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Life's Price Tag

Foolish man, why didn’t you hold the government accountable when elections were happening?

I posed this question to an old man arguing with a shopkeeper over the rising price of potatoes. The poor fellow had no answer—not because he lacked reasoning, but because he didn’t know English, and my Turkish was far from fluent. (Not to mention, I muttered this quietly. Who wants to start a fight?)  

The current Turkish government is facing criticism from its people, but what’s the use now? At almost every shop, a Turk throws their hands up and laments, “I don’t have money!” Yet, they still buy everything and, of course, argue as if it’s a ritual. It has become a daily phrase here:  

"O Kadar Param Yök" (I don’t have that kind of money).  

At a barber’s shop, some “wise” young men were grumbling about the dollar. “The dollar is the real culprit,” they said. “Prices are skyrocketing because of the dollar!” they exclaimed, taking long drags from their cigarettes and exhaling with theatrical flair.  

Now, who will explain to these gems that vegetables, fruits, milk, and meat are all produced locally? What does the dollar have to do with those?  

Even beggars have increased on trains. Some beg in God’s name, while others showcase their talent. One young man walked through the train playing a violin, asking for money. No one gave him anything, and I felt awful. He seemed about my age. I pulled out some cash and handed it to him. He pocketed the money, put the violin away, and walked off. When he got on, he moved with energy, but as he stepped off the train, his gait had slowed. It left me feeling deeply melancholic.  

At the next station, some children were selling pencils. At every stop, little makeshift shops lined the ground, manned by beautiful souls searching for their daily bread. Among them was a girl with radiant eyes selling her paintings. As I browsed through her work, I couldn’t help but think these pieces deserved far more than their asking price. The words slipped out of my mouth:  

"The artist on the road."  

New characters keep emerging, but the play remains the same.  

—Rahat Indori  

These are two digital receipts of my grocery shopping—one from last year, 2023, and the other from this year, 2024. Last year was undeniably better. If every passing year feels worse than the one before, it’s a sign the economy is deteriorating.  

Potatoes are now Patates, tomatoes Domates, eggs Yumurta, and milk Süt. Even chicken deserves mention: Tavuk.  

Look at the prices, and you’ll notice a 40–50% increase. To bury this inflation under the rug, the minister conveniently raises salaries each year, as if that solves the problem. It doesn’t—not even close. But it does temporarily appease the naive public, who know little about economics.  

I don’t write as often these days, so let me end with a fitting verse:  

They are refreshed (after every presidential elections), showcasing new tricks.

✍🏻 Abdullah Mahmood  

December 24, 2024  

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My Life Feels Heavy

I don’t know where to start. Lately, my health has been all over the place. My reflexes are getting slower, my blood pressure is playing hide and seek—sometimes too high, other times too low—and I forget things a lot. It’s like my brain is on a long lunch break and forgot to come back. Honestly, I’m starting to feel like one of those old cars you’re afraid to take on a road trip.  

It’s been 1 year, 7 months, and 6 days since May 12, 2023. That day wasn’t a physical accident, but an emotional one that shattered me. She was in my life when I traveled here. In fact, I traveled for her. I came all the way to Istanbul to do my MBA, not just for my career but to impress her father. I thought if I achieved more, I could secure her and our future. But the truth is, her father was the one who pulled us apart.  

And she… she accepted it. She moved on so quickly, choosing someone else. Maybe it was quick money, or maybe something else—I don’t know. What I do know is she broke all the promises we made to each other. For seven years, she was my world. I never looked at another girl because she was enough. She was my everything. And now, after her, I feel like I’ve lost the ability to feel. Or maybe it’s not the feelings I’ve lost but the courage. I’m afraid of repeating the same mistake, of trusting someone only to end up broken again.  

Despite everything, I managed to stand up, at least on paper. I came to Istanbul thousands of miles away from home to do my MBA, and I did it. A few weeks ago, I graduated on time with a great CGPA. I worked as a teacher and in IT to keep myself busy. But busy doesn’t fix broken. It just distracts you for a while.  

Sometimes, I feel like life is laughing at me. It’s like that moment in Vanilla Sky: "The sweet is never as sweet without the sour." Well, I think I’ve had enough sour to last a lifetime.  

I miss my parents. I miss being close to the people who care about me. My mother, my father—they’re so far away, and it feels like I’ve lost my anchor. Maybe that’s why my health is acting up. Maybe it’s just the weight of being away from home, from love, from everything familiar.  

Right now, I don’t even know what’s happening to me. But I’m trying. I really am. Even when it feels like life is one long, sad joke, I get up. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Maybe not. But I’ll keep going because that’s all I can do.

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Why Printing Money Fails?

Why Can’t a Country Just Print More Money to Make Everyone Rich?

It’s a question many people wonder about: if a country can print its own money, why not just print a lot of it and make everyone rich? On the surface, this idea sounds simple and appealing, but in reality, it doesn’t work that way. Let’s break this down in easy terms.

The Value of Money

Money works because it has value. That value comes from trust – trust that the money can buy goods and services. If too much money is printed without an increase in goods and services, the value of the money decreases. This is called inflation.

Imagine this: You have 10 apples and 10 coins in an economy. Each apple is worth 1 coin. Now, if suddenly 20 coins are printed but there are still only 10 apples, what happens? The price of each apple rises to 2 coins because there’s more money chasing the same number of goods. 

The result? Your coins lose purchasing power, and prices go up. People aren’t actually richer; they just have more worthless money.

Inflation and Hyperinflation

Printing too much money can lead to hyperinflation, where prices skyrocket uncontrollably. Let’s look at some real-life examples:

1. Venezuela (2016–present):

   The government printed excessive money to cover its debts and provide subsidies. This caused inflation rates to exceed 1,000,000% at one point. A loaf of bread that used to cost a few bolivars became unaffordable for most people. The currency became nearly worthless, and people had to carry bags of cash just to buy basic items.

2. Zimbabwe (2000s):

   Zimbabwe printed large amounts of money to solve its economic problems. This backfired when inflation hit 89.7 sextillion percent in November 2008. People abandoned the local currency and started using foreign currencies like the US dollar instead.

3. Germany (1920s):

   After World War I, Germany printed money to pay war reparations. The result? Hyperinflation. Prices doubled every few days. People burned money for heat because it was cheaper than buying firewood.

What Actually Makes a Country Rich?

A country becomes rich not by printing money but by producing goods and services, creating jobs, innovating, and building a stable economy. For example:

- Japan and Germany: These countries don’t print excessive money, but their economies are strong because they focus on manufacturing and technology.  

- Norway: Norway invests in oil, renewable energy, and education. Instead of printing more money, they build wealth through resources and skilled labor.

What About Countries Like the U.S. Printing Trillions?

You might wonder, "Why can the U.S. print money without major problems?" The U.S. dollar is a global reserve currency, meaning other countries trust and use it for international trade. However, even the U.S. has limits. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. printed trillions for relief packages. While it helped in the short term, inflation rose significantly afterward, making daily life more expensive for Americans.

The Role of Central Banks

Central banks, like the U.S. Federal Reserve or the State Bank of Pakistan, carefully manage the money supply to keep inflation under control. They balance between having enough money in the economy to encourage growth and not so much that it devalues the currency.

In Simple Terms

Think of money as tickets to buy goods. If you print too many tickets without increasing the goods, the tickets lose their value. That’s why printing more money doesn’t make people rich—it just raises prices and creates instability.

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