The Urgency of Climate Justice: Pakistan’s Unyielding Battle

Written by: Ayesha Rafiq

Climate change poses a significant threat to Pakistan, making it highly vulnerable to various impacts. The changing climate in South Asia has led to significant shifts in Pakistan’s weather patterns, including increased heat, drought, and extreme weather events. The melting of Himalayan glaciers has further affected crucial rivers. Between 1999 and 2018, Pakistan ranked 5th in countries experiencing extreme weather due to climate change. The nation faces natural disasters like cyclones, floods, drought, intense rainfall, and earthquakes. Scientific research links climate change to the devastating 2022 floods, directly impacting over 30 million people, causing loss of lives, damage to infrastructure, and displacement. Overall, climate change poses a substantial threat to Pakistan’s economy and security.

In the intricate dance of climate change on the global stage, Pakistan stands as a poignant testament to the unfair burden borne by nations least responsible for the environmental crisis. As the United Nations grapples with the pressing issue, the consequences and implications for Pakistan underscore the need for immediate, robust action.

The impacts of climate change have ceased to be a distant threat for Pakistan; they have become an ominous reality etched into the fabric of daily life. Unpredictable weather patterns, devastating floods, and prolonged droughts have become the norm, creating a multi-faceted challenge that threatens the very foundations of society. From jeopardized water resources to strained agriculture and escalating public health concerns, the toll is evident and demands a global response.

It remains a bitter irony that those contributing the least to greenhouse gas emissions are the ones disproportionately suffering the harshest consequences. Pakistan, with its modest carbon footprint, exemplifies the profound injustice inherent in the global response to climate change. Pakistan contributes less than 1% to the world’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Additionally, the GHG emissions per person in Pakistan stand at 2 tons per year, which is less than half of the global average.

The United Nations holds a pivotal role in the fight against climate change, and its actions must transcend mere acknowledgment of the issue. The organization must lead a collaborative effort that provides meaningful support to nations like Pakistan in both adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Ambiguous promises no longer suffice; tangible, inclusive action is the imperative of the hour.

Frequent, intense, and unpredictable weather-related disasters pose a significant threat, causing destruction to lives, essential infrastructure, homes, and businesses. This makes climate change both menacing and catastrophic. Rural livelihoods are particularly affected by severe droughts, while rising sea levels jeopardize low-lying areas with the risk of floods. Ecosystems face fragmentation or elimination, leading to the decline and extinction of numerous species. These changes severely impact food security, livelihoods, health, clean water, energy, medicines, and other ecosystem services, especially for marginalized and vulnerable communities who have limited coping abilities. To prevent global warming beyond 1.5C, a 45 percent reduction in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels by 2030 is imperative. According to the global climate index, Pakistan is the 8th most vulnerable country to climate change impacts. The increased frequency of disasters due to climate and weather pattern variations hampers development in Pakistan, while the country’s economy remains highly susceptible to future climate threats.

International cooperation must be fortified, with developed nations acknowledging their historical emissions and assuming responsibility for their role in the crisis. Financial and technological assistance must flow to vulnerable countries, grounding climate justice in practical solutions. The call is for affluent nations to recognize their moral debt to those bearing the brunt of a crisis they did not instigate.

In this critical juncture, Pakistan grapples with the immediacy of climate-induced crises, drawing attention to the urgent need for targeted interventions. Scarce resources strain under the weight of climate-related challenges, amplifying existing vulnerabilities. It is imperative that the international community, spearheaded by the United Nations, engages in collaborative initiatives to fortify the resilience of nations like Pakistan.

As climate change exacerbates existing socio-economic disparities, marginalized communities bear the brunt disproportionately. Access to education, healthcare, and basic necessities is further compromised, deepening the cycle of poverty.

A comprehensive approach, intertwined with climate justice, is essential to break this cycle and build sustainable, inclusive pathways forward. Beyond monetary aid, knowledge transfer and technology exchange must be prioritized to empower nations in adapting and mitigating the impacts of climate change. The global community must recognize that safeguarding the environment is inseparable from safeguarding human rights. Environmental justice and social justice are intertwined facets of a shared struggle, demanding a unified response.

The narrative of Pakistan’s unyielding battle against climate adversity should serve as a catalyst for systemic change. Concrete policies, enforceable commitments, and measurable outcomes must replace vague assurances. The United Nations, as the guardian of global cooperation, must steer the discourse towards actionable solutions that uplift the most vulnerable.

In the face of climate emergencies, time is of the essence. The world must transcend geopolitical divides and act cohesively to mitigate the impending catastrophe. Every delay in meaningful action deepens the chasm of inequity, amplifying the suffering of nations grappling with the consequences of a crisis not of their making.

As we navigate the complexities of climate justice, let it be a shared endeavor where the burden is collectively borne, and the benefits are universally distributed. The echoes of Pakistan’s struggle resonate as a call for solidarity, challenging the international community to rise above self-interest and forge a sustainable future that honors the dignity and rights of all nations.

In the symphony of climate change, the least culpable souls bear the heaviest notes of suffering, echoing the injustice where those who contribute the least to the discord are forced to dance to the most devastating rhythms of its consequences.

Writer: Ayesha Rafiq is Student of Peace and conflict studies at NDU and  research associate at KIIR