Climate change: Cyclists ride through Islamabad to raise awareness

ISLAMABAD: To raise awareness about the effects of greenhouse gas emissions  and climate change in the country, a cycling event was held in the Capital which was organised by the European Union Delegation to Pakistan  and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) which is celebrating “ Climate Change Diplomacy Week”

Dozens of people, including members of the Diplomatic Corps, cycled through the streets of Islamabad on Sunday to raise awareness about  the problem.

After the bike ride, a documentary on the effects of climate change in the mountainous regions of Pakistan was screened.



Led by Jean-François Cautain, European Union’s ambassador in Pakistan, cyclists young and old went on a short tour of the federal capital. Starting from the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), they cycled through Constitution Avenue along a pre-designated route.

One of the aims of the tour was to promote eco-friendly modes of transportation. Hence, it was fitting that for the duration of the symbolic ride, Constitution Avenue was kept virtually car-free.

“Great to bike on car- free Constitution Avenue in Islamabad,” Ambassador Cautain commented.

After the ride, the documentary “The Karakorum Anomaly” about the effects of climate change and its influence on mountains of the country was screened.

“We [EU] have committed our countries to ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and I am very pleased to say that we are on the right track to achieve them,” Ambassador Cuatain said.



Talking about the campaign, he explained that while Pakistan’s carbon emissions were quite low, the country is ranked as one of the most vulnerable to suffer effects of  climate change.

“This event  contributes  to raise awareness in Pakistan on the importance of tackling this issue today and not tomorrow. It is also an opportunity to create synergy between different actors, government representative, diplomats, civil society and media in an enjoyable and meaningful environment,” the ambassador said.

Hammad Naqi Khan, the Director General WWF-Pakistan, stressed the importance of promoting universal understanding of the need for action to mitigate effects of climate change.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th, 2016.