The effects of climate change are being witnessed in all corners of the world. The catastrophic floods in Pakistan, hurricanes in Cuba and the United States, typhoons and cyclones in Southeast Asia, extreme weather conditions in Europe, and long heatwaves witnessed in South Asian countries are some of the manifestations of climate catastrophe. The most daunting is that once-in-a-lifetime climate shocks may soon become once-a-year events.
The warnings which were given by environmentalists years back are now coming out as an open reality. Back in November 2018, the United Nations warned that “the world is losing the environmental war.” In early November, around 120 countries pledged to keep global warming below 1.5°C, at the Glasgow Climate Summit. Despite the fact that the failure to correct environmental issues can lead to new epidemics, earthquakes, storms, and untold disasters, the pledge is yet to be fulfilled. That is why the UN Secretary-General made a painful appeal to world leaders to play their part to save humanity.
There is no any doubt that the planet is burning due to climate change and that too is due to developed countries, especially G-20 countries. It is estimated that developed countries are responsible for around 80% of toxic-gas emissions. The Secretary General of the UN has also stated that “The G20 emits 80% of the greenhouse gas emissions. But the poorest and most vulnerable-those who contributed least to this crisis-are bearing its most brutal impacts.“
However, it is, indeed, a travesty of justice that Pakistan and other such countries are bearing the burnt of this catastrophe. In the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif rightly said:
“The undeniable truth is that the calamity has not been triggered by anything we have done. Nature has unleashed her fury on Pakistan without looking at our carbon footprint, which is next to nothing. Our actions did not contribute to this.“
Though, the world has lent a helping hand to help Pakistan to fight the catastrophe yet, as per the Federal Minister of Pakistan for Climate Change, Ms. Sherry Rehman, the real justice to these countries is to “owe reparations to countries facing climate disaster.“
It is an undeniable truth that the global climate crisis is becoming more serious and more evident and the consequences are being borne by developing countries. Therefore, in order to save the world from climate catastrophe, there is a need for a common plan of action. Moreover, the international community should provide aid on a priority basis to the countries facing the burnt of climate change. According to experts, global warming is a serious threat to human existence, and therefore, one should not turn a blind eye to this serious problem.