We’ve been fighting climate change for years but failing to take action: Musadik Malik

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik has reiterated that climate change poses a significant challenge for Pakistan and other nations, requiring urgent and coordinated action, and it’ about time to take action.

The minister was addressing a press briefing where he lauded Pakistan’s resilience and commitment to overcome trying times as well. He stated that the government is implementing protective measures against climate impacts while stressing that future generations’ security depends on effectively tackling this challenge: “Adopting a sustainable and comprehensive strategy to combat climate change is the pressing need of the hour.

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He added that Pakistan has braced multiple floods and earthquakes, and has always emerged out of ashes with more commitment to thrive. On agricultural reforms, he said improvement initiatives are underway in line with for national development. He referred to the establishment of a Green Climate Fund as a key achievement and reminded about Pakistan’s minimal contribution to global pollution, despite being among the most climate-vulnerable nations.

Earlier during a seminar, he lamented that despite knowing the harmful impact of plastic, the usage of plastic bottles for water has not stopped: “I’m not even talking about the water crises in Balochistan or Gilgit right now.”

Calling for urgent action, Malik stressed that forest conservation was essential for environmental improvement. “We must move beyond debates and take concrete steps,” he said, adding that transitioning to green solutions and public awareness programs were critical.

He also said that climate change effects were being felt not just in Pakistan but across the world. “It is deeply distressing that even developed countries are not doing enough to combat this existential threat.”

Malik presented the case of China’s severe environmental degradation as a cautionary example, calling it “currently the world’s most polluted country where breathing without masks has become difficult.”

He spoke about various issues plaguing the federal capital right now like the rampant use of plastic bottles for drinking water, illegal deforestation and encroachments in Margalla Hills and lack of implementation of climate policies despite years of engagements.