‘Millions may face poverty or displacement’
Environmentalists, journalists and human rights activists underlined the need to take concrete measures to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change in Pakistan. They said it posed a threat to human, animals, and marine life as well as the overall environment of the country.
They were speaking at a Media Dialogue on Climate Change Challenges for Pakistan in connection with the UN Conference of Parties (COP26). The event was jointly organised by The Karachi Press Club and The Knowledge Forum at the KPC on Friday. COP26 will continue till November 12 in Glasgow, UK.
Climate change expert Nasir Panhwar, environmental expert Jamil Junejo,; National Forum for Environment and Health President Naeem Qureshi, The Knowledge Forum Director Zeenia Shaukat, KPC Joint Secretary Saqib Saghir and Shujauddin Qureshi of TKF were the main speakers.
"Floods, droughts and sea intrusion incidents have increased and it is feared that millions of people will be affected and face poverty or displacement," said Nasir Panhwar in his keynote speech.
"Sea intrusion is causing destruction of the Indus Delta," he said. He added that there were 17 creeks of River Indus which used to make up the Indus Delta, but now only a few are left.
Panhwar continued that Pakistan was one of the countries that had signed many international agreements, but implementation remained poor. Pakistan has also signed Paris Agreement in 2015. "We have to be prepared for it," he said.
According to a report, there would more of an adverse impact on poorer countries as they lacked a support mechanism. Naim Qureshi said that urban areas are facing deforestation, sea intrusion and heatwaves because of the cutting of trees.
Jamil Junejo said coastal communities, especially fishermen, were badly hit by climate change. "Thousands of families have been displaced from Indus Delta area," he said. Junejo revealed that In Pakistan, the LNG infrastructure is expanding. "Currently, the LNG share is 11 per cent in the energy mix and this was zero per cent a few years ago. It is increasing. Its expansion has posed threats to marine life, mangroves and fishing communities.
Zeenia Shaukat said Pakistan is the 8th most affected country by climate change. Quoting the latest world bank report on the climate profile of Pakistan, she said rates of warming in Pakistan is considerably above the global average with a potential rise of 1.3°C-4.9°C by the 2090s.
"There is an Increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme climate events and disaster risks. There is fear of an increase in the number of people affected by flooding with a likely increase of around 5 million people exposed to extreme river floods by 2035-2044.
Saqib Saghir advised journalists to utilise their right to information and get official data from the government department by filing formal applications.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2021.