The solar revolution in Pakistan relies on the labor of workers who are forced to operate in intense heat. For instance, Abdul Rehman, who previously cleaned solar panels on Karachi rooftops during the hottest parts of the day, experienced a severe episode leading to dizziness and severe dehydration.
Rehman shared his experience, noting it was one of the worst moments, and realized he had to take care of himself because no one else would. This story is part of the CATCH project by Dialogue Earth in collaboration with Boston University, funded by the Wellcome Trust.
Pakistan is experiencing a boom in solar energy, which helps mitigate the immediate consequences of the war in Southwest Asia. According to an analysis by the Secure Energy Project, by February 2026, the country avoided importing over $12 billion worth of oil and gas and plans to save another $6.3 billion by the end of the current year.
According to a recent report by energy analytical centers Ember and Renewables First, nearly one-fifth of Pakistani households use solar energy. The country's overall electricity demand growth of 21% in just two years has been fully met by new distributed solar generation, bringing the nation closer to the global average electrification rate.
However, this solar revolution rests on the shoulders of workers who install, maintain, and clean the panels. They often perform this unseen work in extreme heat without adequate safety measures.
Farooq Tariq, a human rights advocate and president of the Haqooq Khalq party, stated that while everyone involved in Pakistan's solar program has benefited, the workers engaged in this green energy revolution have gained no advantage, as they are deprived of rights and receive meager wages.
Rehman notes that clients expect the panels to be cleaned during the day, but he began objecting to these demands, suggesting work be done between 4 PM and midnight instead of during daylight hours. Nevertheless, Tariq points out that most young men cleaning panels in the city are 'labor migrants rushing to big cities in search of work' and are willing to perform tasks at any time of day.
According to a technical report by Renewables First, the distributed solar energy industry in Pakistan created approximately 300,000 direct and 200,000 indirect jobs between the 2017 and 2025 fiscal years, with most concentrated in engineering, procurement, and construction.
Zehra Khan, a Pakistani trade union activist and Secretary General of the Federation of Women Working at Home, notes that data on manual laborers and installers is scarce because they often belong to the informal sector. Although training for potential solar technicians has become less rare, many program catalogs reviewed by Dialogue Earth focused mainly on equipment safety rather than safety measures, especially against heat.
Pakistan's Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act of 2018 does not explicitly mention heat stress, although it generally covers occupational hazards and risks to worker health, safety, and well-being. However, according to Tariq, the implementation of these regulations is insufficient, and he asserts that 'health and safety measures are practically non-existent for solar technicians and cleaners.'
In Pakistan, some solar panel cleaners work on contract with companies that assign them slots, while others are permanent household maintenance staff. Muhammad Asif, 32, moved from South Punjab to work in a home in the prestigious Defence Housing Authority area of southern Karachi. Initially, he was tasked with observing and assisting a professional cleaner who came once a month. Now, after his employer acquired a pressure washer, Asif cleans the panels independently.
Asif reported that his employers are mindful of the heat, so they schedule work after 5 PM. He always carries a large towel and, even if it is hot in the evening, wets it and puts it on his head.
In Karachi, contracted cleaners are usually assigned time slots from 9 AM to 6 PM, and on average, cleaning one household's panels takes an hour, says Ali, an employee of the Karachi company Solar Sweep. This means some cleaning slots fall during peak heat hours.
Ali Habib, CEO of the consulting firm Sama Verte from Punjab, the parent company of Shama Solar, which specializes in comprehensive photovoltaic solar services, notes that the company has 'guidelines stating that solar panels should not be cleaned during the day when it is hot, as the sun shines brightly then and we achieve maximum solar energy output.'
Since solar panel workers are also at risk of electric shock, Shama Solar recommends using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as boots and helmets. Habib adds that a hat helps protect against heat. Due to the tight schedule for installing solar systems, Shama Solar workers are advised to perform indoor tasks, such as wiring or installing inverters and batteries, during the day, and panel installation in the evening.
Nadim Nawaz, a project manager at Shama Solar, indicates that installation work increases after April, meaning there are many more solar technicians on rooftops during the hottest months. He acknowledges that workers get sick and dehydrated from the heat and go to nearby hospitals, or are given the day off. However, atmospheric heat is not the only danger for solar energy workers. Nawaz notes that 'the frames and structures of solar panels are made of aluminum, so they heat up significantly, and technicians' hands can burn, but it is too hot to wear thick protective gloves,' adding that some technicians refuse to wear protective gear due to the heat. At the same time, Nawaz believes that working at night is impractical because 'additional light sources are required at night, and visibility is limited, making it unsafe.'
Safety experts advise using specialized protective gear to combat heat and direct sunlight. PPE supplier Oteplace from France recommends that renewable energy workers use a set including wide-brimmed hats, UV-filtered sunglasses, and special evaporative vests that can be soaked in water for cooling.
However, according to doctors interviewed by Dialogue Earth, most solar energy workers in Pakistan do not have access to such equipment, leaving them vulnerable to heatstroke, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance.
Asia Shahab, a doctor who frequently organizes medical camps to assist the underprivileged in Karachi and its suburbs, warns: 'Even death remains a real possibility.' Doctors are also concerned about the long-term effects of UV radiation on solar technicians. Shahab explains that if panels are installed during peak heat hours when the sun is at its zenith, it can lead to intense UV radiation as sunlight reflects off light roofs.
She adds that such exposure can cause sunburn in just 10 minutes, leading to skin drying and premature aging, as well as eye diseases such as cataracts, eye tissue growth, and photokeratitis (sunburn of the eyes). Mariam Noaman, head of the Department of Medical Oncology at Dow Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre in Karachi, states that chronic exposure to UV radiation 'is a well-established cause of skin cancer.' She explains that UV rays cause cumulative DNA damage and can lead to mutations in important tumor suppressor genes, as well as impairing local skin immune surveillance. Over time, these changes increase the risk of developing skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. She emphasizes that 'individuals with prolonged professional sun exposure, including solar technicians, are at high risk.'
According to estimates by the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization for 2023, nearly a third of non-melanoma skin cancer deaths are caused by working in the sun.
Zehra Khan notes that despite high vulnerability to heat stress, solar industry workers are not discussed in political debates and are not legally recognized. She states: 'There are no official laws protecting or ensuring the well-being of workers in solar energy.'
This means that if they suffer from extreme heat or any other occupational hazards, they have no systems for receiving treatment support. Khan adds: 'There is no available data on their numbers or details, so how can they participate in any political discussions or labor agreements?'
She stresses that this applies not only to installers and panel cleaners but to everyone in the solar energy supply chain, such as those involved in grounding. Khan insists that all such workers must be registered with social services like the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI) or the Employees’ Old Age Benefit Institution (EOBI).
There may be hope on the horizon for improving heat safety for solar energy workers. Pakistan recently approved an Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) Code of Practice for the construction sector, which establishes legally binding standards to strengthen the protection of workers' health and safety in this industry. The International Labour Organization noted that this code is based on internationally recognized standards, including the ILO's own Code of Practice on Occupational Safety in Construction, which contains a section on heat stress.
Pakistan's new code applies to builders in the informal economy and may support solar system installation workers in the long run. Rabia Razzaq, an ILO Senior Programme Officer in Pakistan, confirmed that the new code covers 'broad terms to cover all electrical system equipment,' including solar energy. The main measures provided by the code include fall protection, electrical safety, ergonomic handling of objects, PPE, and emergency preparedness to reduce physical, electrical, chemical, and environmental hazards. It also includes proper training, risk assessment, and adherence to occupational health management systems. Khan concludes: 'Solar industry workers are invisible workers who need to be made visible.'
A new study revealed that giraffes are capable of solving basic mathematical problems, performing addition operations to identify containers with the largest quantity of carrots, a finding considered a scientific novelty.
Although previous studies have confirmed numerical cognition in animals such as wolves and bees, giraffes were often overlooked in these investigations due to the relatively small size of their brains. However, a recent study conducted by researchers from Spain and Germany sought to assess the level of numerical ability in these animals, covering recognition, interpretation, and execution of simple or complex operations.
The specialists applied experiments using four giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) kept at the Barcelona Zoo in Spain. Carrots, a favorite food of giraffes, served as an incentive for mathematical reasoning. The animals observed containers with varying amounts of carrots (such as two or three items). After observation, the scientists sealed the containers and added more carrots to one of them, without the giraffes seeing the final amount.
The task assigned was to select a container for consumption. However, determining which one had more carrots required more than just visual perception; it was necessary to retain the initial quantity and update this information after the addition, which essentially constitutes an addition operation.
The results, published in the journal Scientific Reports, were quite positive. Two of the four giraffes, specifically the female Nuru and the male Njano, consistently selected the containers with the highest number of carrots across several tests. The other two giraffes only got it right when the container that received the addition of carrots was the last one handled by the researchers.
A section of the study points out that while two giraffes might have used more elementary tactics (such as avoiding the container manipulated by the experimenter), the others demonstrated success even when this strategy was not applicable, suggesting the possible use of more elaborate mental calculations.
The giraffes' abilities were tested in subtractions and multiplications, in which all animals failed. Based on this disparity in performance, the authors speculate that some giraffes may possess superior numerical aptitudes to others, potentially being able to solve more intricate mathematical problems.
This work follows a previous investigation, also published in 2023 in Scientific Reports, with giraffes from the same zoo. Initially, the animals chose containers with more carrots, and later, the containers contained a mixture of carrot and zucchini, yet the giraffes continued to correctly identify the largest quantity. This was the first indication of quantity comprehension, and now it is known that they perform small mathematical operations.
The expectation with this new research is to deepen the studies to understand how giraffes use mathematics and what factors support this ability. The authors suggest that such competencies may have evolved in response to the socioecological pressures found in nature, such as the need to monitor other individuals of the same species and their social bonds, or to manage a diversified diet that requires knowledge and memory of different food locations.
Examining the physical geography map of Iran reveals that the Strait of Hormuz is not merely a waterway, but a natural, submerged extension of the Iranian Plateau.
This truth is based on two key characteristics: the convexity (arc) of the coast towards the interior of Iran and the geological continuation of the seabed from the central Zagros mountain range. Thus, the strait is an integral part of the natural territory of the Iranian Plateau, and any other interpretation ignores undeniable geographical facts.
The convexity of the Iranian coast is not only a natural phenomenon but also a geometric design that has allowed Iran to fully control this narrow point. The deepest and only navigable channel for supertankers is located right near the apex of this arc and the Iranian islands of Qeshm, Larak, and Hengam. In fact, the 'lifeline' of maritime traffic flows within the geographical influence of Iran, and no country can access the Persian Gulf without passing under the shadow of this arc.
The mentioned arc has formed the strait into a concave nose, along which lie the strategic islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, Qeshm, Larak, Hengam, and Hormuz. Military experts refer to these islands as 'unsinkable aircraft carriers'; they possess panoramic views and dominance over the shipping route without the need to move, forming the first line of defense for Iran's maritime borders.
The narrow width of the channel and the presence of shallow sedimentary areas along the edges of the arc create serious limitations for the maneuverability of foreign navies. Under such conditions, asymmetric tactics, such as 'mass deployment of fast attack craft' and 'laying sea mines,' become extremely effective. Iran, relying on complete knowledge of the seabed, controls the safety of this waterway.
Furthermore, by extending the surveillance zone to Jask port, located east of the strait, the Islamic Republic of Iran has transformed this arc into a 'full crescent.' This allows the defensive line to extend beyond the narrowest point itself, enabling Iran to detect any movements kilometers before vessels enter the Persian Gulf from the Arabian Sea.
From a geological perspective, the Strait of Hormuz is simply a submerged continuation of the Zagros mountain range and part of the Iranian Plateau. The sedimentary layers and salt domes beneath the strait perfectly match the structure of the southern continental part of Iran and arose from the same tectonic processes that formed the Iranian Plateau itself. Moreover, during the last Ice Age, the Persian Gulf was part of the landmass of the Iranian Plateau, and the Strait of Hormuz represented an ancient valley through which great rivers—the Karun and the Euphrates—flowed. This historical continuity testifies to the inalienable belonging of this seabed to the land of Iran.
Oil and gas reserves also confirm this reality. The vast oil and gas deposits beneath the strait are a natural continuation of the resources found on the southern mainland of Iran, which economically solidifies the inseparable link of this space with the territory of Iran.
The convexity of the coastal arc and the geological continuation of the seabed are two sides of the same coin, making the Strait of Hormuz an integral part of the geographical body of Iran. On one hand, the geometry of the battlefield allows Iran to act as the 'gatekeeper' of the Persian Gulf and ensure the safety of this waterway. On the other hand, the natural continuation of the Iranian Plateau beneath the sea fundamentally refutes any claims that this space is separated from the homeland.
Based on these considerations, the Strait of Hormuz is part of the geographical reality of Iran, regardless of what was stipulated in treaties by colonial powers and maritime empires. Even raising the issue of joint management of the strait or involving coastal states in its administration contradicts the very natural geography of the strait. The Islamic Republic of Iran has always emphasized its full sovereignty over this strategic choke point, viewing any foreign interference as contrary to the natural and historical realities of the region.
The association of donkeys, mules, and hinnies with negative traits, such as stubbornness and low intelligence, has deep historical roots, spanning over two millennia and not limited to the Portuguese language. Expressions like 'stubborn as a mule' in English and 'más terco que una mula' in Spanish reflect this tradition.
However, this label is considered unfair, given that equids—which include horses, hinnies, donkeys, and mules—are intelligent animals. Scientific research has proven that they possess the capacity for long-term memory storage, establish complex social relationships, and can be trained to perform specific tasks.
It is important to distinguish the species: horses (Equus caballus) and hinnies (Equus asinus) are distinct. Hinnies are also known by names such as asses, geldings, or jerries, and these terms can be used pejoratively. Donkeys and mules are classified as hybrids resulting from the crossbreeding of a mare and a male hinnie. A hybrid formed by crossing a male horse with a hinnie is called a bardot, which is less common due to difficulties in gestation and lower aptitude for work, although its name has not become an insult.
Some specialists suggest that the stigma may be linked to the differences in managing these animals. Chiara Albano, a professor at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics of the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), explains that 'taming hinnies and donkeys is more challenging than taming horses, because their natural behaviors are different.' She exemplifies that, when faced with a predator or danger, while horses tend to flee and observe from a distance, the hinnie tends to stop and analyze the situation, freezing if it perceives danger or distrust to ensure its safety.
This prejudice is extremely old. In Aesop's Fables, dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries BC, donkeys were already used to personify individuals who were naive, stubborn, and vain. An even older reference comes from a second-century book, where the Roman author Lucius Apuleius, in 'The Golden Ass,' narrates the story of a man who transforms into an ass. In this context, the Latin expression *asinina cogitatio*, which literally means 'donkey thought,' was used to designate foolishness.
