Speaking on the World Environment Day, Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman highlighted the challenge Pakistan faces at the behest of climate change and global warming.
“As Pakistanis, we stand at the forefront of a global environmental emergency,” she stated, adding that the issue was not specific to Pakistan or South Asia alone but had global implications.
She went on to state that climate change is “the biggest challenge of the 21st century”.
She argued that the country is facing adverse and severe effects of climate change in the shape of extreme temperatures, severe drought, forest fires, drying rivers and rapidly melting glaciers.
Reiterating the importance of action, the senator said that “if we do not mitigate the effects of climate change, it will be detrimental to the future of the country and future generations”.
She furthered that the purpose of celebrating World Environment Day, which is observed on June 5 (today), is to spread awareness among the people regarding climate change.
Sherry called on citizens to play their part in the protection of the environment as she noted that conscious water usage and reduction in pollution of sea, air and land were key to fighting the crisis.
“We have to adopt climate culture to deal with the climate crisis. A clean and healthy environment is possible only when every citizen fulfills his national and moral responsibility. There is only one Pakistan on this planet, only by protecting the country’s environment can we save it,” she added.
Speaking on other occasions, the minister has highlighted Pakistan’s status as the world’s third most water-stressed country and asked the developed world – who is the highest emitter of greenhouse gases – to do more to combat climate change.