Islamabad, Feb 6: Climate experts and policymakers have called for collective action, regional cooperation, and innovation to combat the escalating climate crisis. Speaking at a session titled “Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Pakistan in 2047: A Vision for Climate Resilience & Climate Justice,” participants emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change through collaboration and effective communication.
The session was part of Breath Pakistan, a two-day global climate conference aimed at making Pakistan climate-resilient by 2047 while fostering regional cooperation across South Asia. The region faces shared challenges, including rising temperatures, water scarcity, and increasing natural disasters.
Former Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman warned against the resurgence of climate denialism, stressing that climate change is a borderless crisis requiring immediate action. She highlighted the lack of global media coverage of Pakistan’s environmental disasters, such as the 2022 monsoon floods and the wildfires in Balochistan.
Rehman underscored the importance of media engagement in climate discourse, stating that making climate issues central to mainstream conversations is crucial for progress. She also pointed to Pakistan’s shift towards renewable energy, citing Power Minister Awais Leghari’s claim that the country’s energy mix is now 55% renewable, and urged the media to hold leaders accountable for such commitments.
LUMS Vice Chancellor Ali Cheema presented alarming data on rising temperatures, warning that by 2050, Pakistan could experience an additional month of extreme heat exceeding 37°C, posing severe risks to public health and agriculture. He linked climate change to industrialization and rising carbon emissions, highlighting the challenge developing countries face in growing their economies while contending with a crisis created by early industrialized nations.
World Bank’s global director for climate change, Valerie Hickey, emphasized the need for clearer climate communication, pointing out that the way climate issues are discussed often fails to resonate with different audiences. She stressed that improving communication strategies is vital in mobilizing action against climate change.
Meanwhile, LUMS professor Ijaz Nabi called for mainstreaming climate action and enhancing the adaptive capacity of vulnerable nations.With climate challenges intensifying, experts agree that meaningful collaboration, accountability, and innovation will be key in ensuring a climate-resilient future for Pakistan and the region.
