Climate change: Speakers for protecting, nourishing human capital

Say human security is a prerequisite for development.


News Desk July 25, 2014

Speakers have urged the need for protecting, sustaining and nourishing human capital in view of its direct conflict with climate change.

They said human health was directly impacted by climate change, which also indirectly effects food quality, ecology and industry.

They were speaking at a seminar titled “Making Use of Natural and Human Capital”, organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), said a press release issued here on Thursday.

SDPI Board of Governors members and researchers including Mome Saleem, Sadia Ishfaq, Shakeel Ramay, Salman Ata, Shafqat Kakakhel, Mohsin Iqbal and Nasir Mehmood and others discussed the issue.



The seminar highlighted that climate change meant a direct breakdown of the economy, while the human capital entailed any characteristic regarding skill of labour, knowledge, education and training.

They said that human capital contributed as a production factor, whereas human was a creator in terms of innovation and invention, thus protection of capital was necessary in view of its conflicts with climate change.

They said climate will intercept all sectors of society, in areas of production, income and development and will further marginalise the already marginalised communities.

They said that three sectors — water, forests and land — needed to be focused on, which Pakistan has failed to take into consideration while addressing climate change.

Dr Mohsin Iqbal stressed the need for educating the public about vulnerabilities and hazards they were exposed to so their contributions towards development did not fall.

“Human security is a prerequisite for development as certain populations such as children, women and rural areas are more susceptible to climate change,” he said.

Inspector General Forest Nasir Mehmood said that there was a need for real and quantifiable data with regards to ecosystem monitoring and sharing of such information between think tanks and government ministries will be a step in the right direction, while tackling the climate change issue.

Kakakhel said that response to any risk should be urgent as they affect the very quality of life. “We are hoping to create a synergy more inclusive and transparent with involvement of all stakeholders to facilitate sustainable and climate-resilient development,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2014.

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