KARACHI:
Pakistan, ranked among the top most polluted countries of the world, is seeing climate catastrophes at an alarmingly high rate. Ensuring climate justice is the need of the hour as it can prevent several severe social, political, environmental and economic impact on the country.
The net zero emissions target can only be achieved if a balance between the production of greenhouse gases and their elimination from the atmosphere is maintained. The release of these harmful gases is altering weather patterns leading to intense heat, changes in wind and rainfall patterns and harmful diseases.
Moreover, Pakistan lacks the economic frameworks that ensures that the marginalised and vulnerable communities have the required access to opportunities and resources which can help mitigate the effects of climate change. For this purpose, all the stakeholders – government, researchers, investors and key executives – should be taken onboard to formulate implementable and enduring solution-based policies to promote recycling of waste content, embark upon energy generation initiatives from the waste gases and encourage sustainable infrastructure in underprivileged areas.
Since climate crisis impacts mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of each one of us in one or the other way, ensuring our welfare and safety is a matter of utmost significance. Our youth and women are most impacted by this crisis while they are the ones who are the essential building blocks of the nation contributing to the economic pool. Safeguarding their security and ensuring a promising future for them is an essential step our stakeholders can take for the country’s prosperity.
Syeda Rameesha Mehmood
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2024.
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