The climate clock is ticking!

Each semester, we stand before a new cohort of students enrolled in environmental and renewable energy courses, young minds carrying a mix of curiosity, anxiety and cautious optimism. Some arrive hoping to find solutions to the growing ecological crises they witness; others seek clarity in a world where weather patterns grow chaotic, air quality declines and the future feels increasingly fragile. But beyond their immediate motivations lies a deeper truth: these students are not merely learners; they are emerging agents of change, preparing to step into roles that did not exist a generation ago, roles that require not just scientific literacy but ethical insight, critical thinking and the courage to reimagine systems that no longer serve a sustainable future.

Each time I begin a new semester, I remind myself that I am not just teaching a subject, I am addressing a generation standing at a historic crossroads. These students will not just interpret the future; they will invent it. I see in them the quiet urgency of youth: the drive to repair what's broken, to reimagine what's possible.

Across the world, nations are pledging to move toward cleaner futures. But bold declarations and future targets are not enough without robust infrastructure, inclusive innovation and practical implementation strategies. A gap has emerged between what is promised and what is possible, and it is into this gap that today's students must step with skill and confidence.

Take, for example, the global transport sector. While road and air travel are justifiably criticised for their carbon intensity, maritime shipping offers a more nuanced case. Ships, often overlooked in public discourse, are far more efficient in moving goods per ton over long distances. Yet they are increasingly burdened with one-size-fits-all regulatory models that ignore this comparative advantage. Such mismatched policies reflect a wider pattern: applying uniform solutions to complex, sector-specific problems.

As educators, we believe environmental regulation is essential. But it must be anchored in economic fairness and technological readiness. Otherwise, we risk transferring the costs of transition to those least equipped to carry them, especially in countries like ours, where the energy transition must contend with structural inequality, fragile infrastructure, and uneven access to resources.

This is why I urge my students to think critically. Whether discussing electric vehicles, battery production or sustainable fuels, I encourage them to look beyond the headlines. Yes, electric cars offer cleaner urban transport, but what about the emissions and ethics of mining lithium or cobalt? What about the global supply chains behind every 'clean' device?

Our responsibility is not simply to teach facts but to inspire systems thinking. We must cultivate a generation that not only understands how things work, but who questions who they work for and at what cost.

Pakistan is particularly vulnerable to climate-related disruptions. At the same time, it is rich in human capital and untapped ingenuity. If we truly want to participate in shaping a sustainable global economy, we must empower our youth, not just with degrees, but with vision, skills and purpose. Our students must become creators, not just consumers, of green solutions.

To them, we say: your work will be difficult. You will encounter resistance, complexity and compromise. But you are also stepping into the most meaningful opportunity of our time, to steer the future in a more just and resilient direction. Do not underestimate your capacity to influence policy, transform industry and redefine the way we live and produce energy.

Our classrooms are just the beginning. Whatever you take from them (i.e. the ideas, the questions, the courage) will shape cities, laws and landscapes. Environmental literacy and sustainable innovation will not be luxuries; they will be necessities.

The climate crisis is already unfolding, and we cannot afford to delay. Let us learn with depth, act with wisdom and lead with courage. The world is watching, and time is running out.