The climate challenge

If our actions are anything to go by, it is clear that we are least concerned about the health and prosperity of our future generations. Otherwise, how can we justify our constant failure to protect the planet Earth? The latest report by the UN says that 2024 is heading towards becoming the hottest year on record, the title currently held by the year 2023. A basic understanding of this trend is that as we march forward, our actions continue rising global temperatures, making the earth too hot to live in. According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), greenhouse gas emissions recorded new highs throughout 2024, locking in more heat for the future. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo has also drawn policymakers to tropical cyclones in different regions, resulting in heavy losses. For Pakistan, the trauma of the 2022 floods is still afresh. Warnings that we are now much closer to having a repeat of that apocalyptic event should ideally make our policymakers solely focus on climate. The urgency with which this threat should be handled is unfortunately missing – not only in Pakistan but also globally.

During COP29 in Baku in late November and early December, leaders from rich nations were reluctant to pledge a decent amount for climate funding. They agreed to provide $300 billion to developing countries; in 2022 alone, the developing world paid $443.5 billion in debt repayments. This proposed climate finance is also in the form of loans – pushing developing countries even deeper into the debt trap. What is more concerning is rich nations’ insistence to not phase out fossil fuels. Developed countries have the resources to shield themselves against extreme weather events – scorching sun, torrential rains and freezing cold. Bunkers are now a norm, and since the rich have access to immunity pins now, they are least concerned about the danger that lies ahead for poor, struggling nations.

What is also frustrating is the developing world’s laid-back attitude towards adopting local solutions. Instead of making futile attempts at convincing the developed world to pledge funds, they should analyse how they can do things differently to protect the environment and people. For example, the developing world’s obsession with high-rise buildings at the expense of green belts should be contained. Similarly, there should be some alternatives to our growing use of plastic. The developed world is not going to stop for us – nor is it interested in doling out handouts. Developing countries have to come together to draft a coherent plan to deal with this problem. We cannot watch our earth burn.