‘Heatwaves, droughts, floods are all adverse effects of climate change’

Day-long workshop seeks to create awareness about the issue among journalists

KARACHI: Heatwaves, droughts in Thar and floods in Chitral are some of the adverse effects of climate change, pointed out Aamir Amjad of the Friedrich Nauman Foundation (FNF).

He was speaking at a day-long workshop held at Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) office on Thursday. The event was organised by FNF, Sustainable Initiatives and CPNE to create awareness about the pressing issue of climate change and capacity building of journalists.

The workshop participants were briefed by Sustainable Initiatives executive-director Farhan Anwar and sustainability consultant Nazish Shekha. The two experts engaged the participants to help them expand their knowledge base in order to perform better professionally.

The workshop spanned various sessions and activities and encouraged discussions among the participants on the topic of climate change and the role they could play as journalists.

Anwar traced the history of sustainable development and the rise of the issue of climate change. Defining the current period as the ‘Age of Anthropocene Extinction’, he stated that if not altered immediately human activities will lead the race to extinction. He also urged to increase the plantation of trees informing that forests act as “carbon sinks” and play a positive role in combating the menace of climate change.

Besides, Anwar also encouraged the use of public transportation since he believed that a large percentage of carbon is emitted into the atmosphere by vehicles. The participants were also briefed on the elements of a sustainable city with Anwar emphasising on the three factors which mattered in this regard: economy, environment and equity.

Shekha asked the participants to take a trip down the memory lane to make them realise how much the city has changed in the past few years. One participant, Muhammad Khawar, pointed out that problems related to disposal of trash and waste management were not as severe when he was young. Similarly, another participant Muhammad Ali remarked that due to the poor air quality in the city he has developed breathing problems.

The participants also undertook a brainstorming session to develop ideas for a city wide campaign. One participant, Alam Mahmood, stated that sustainable plantation must be practiced so as to ensure that planted trees survive. He also criticised the halfhearted efforts undertaken in this regard and labelled them as “publicity stunts.”

The participants also agreed that sensitisation of all stakeholders regarding climate change is vital. In this regard the journalists were apprised of the role they could play while discussing the issues that they face on the ground when covering topics related to climate change and environment.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2016.