KARACHI:
This year, Pakistan experienced disastrous flooding after torrential rains during the monsoon season. Even though Pakistan’s contribution to greenhouse gases is significantly low, the country is at the forefront of climate change. This has stirred a new debate over the responsibilities of the developed countries to support developing countries and pay climate reparations to those affected, particularly Pakistan.
Many climate scientists and researchers have claimed that even if Pakistan went 100% green, it still would not change the fact that Pakistan will have to bear the burden of the global north’s carbon emissions. Considering this, the Pakistani government should not settle for the meagre financial assistance offered by the global north for flood relief. Instead, the government needs to adopt a firm approach and use carbon pricing on local, regional, and global levels. The global north must be held responsible for its actions, and it should support Pakistan and other countries in the global south to get on the path of renewable energy.
The recent floodings are just a fraction of what the country may experience in the coming years, therefore, we must prepare for future climate emergencies urgently. The government must focus on rehabilitating existing infrastructure and building climate-resilient infrastructure. Local populations should be educated on how to deal with sudden climate events and should be provided with adequate apparatus.
Usman Ghani
Quetta
Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2022.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
