World Leaders admire Pakistan’s Efforts for Ecosystem Restoration
June 5 is the day when the World celebrates Environment Day since 1970. World Environment Day (WED) is the United Nations’ day for encouraging worldwide awareness and appropriate actions to protect the environment. This year, for the first time, Pakistan was honored to host the big event in partnership with the UN’s Environment Program (UNEP). Pakistan is one of the countries which are being affected severely by global climate change. This year’s observance of WED was on the theme of ‘Ecosystem Restoration’ and focused on resetting our relationship with nature. It also marked the formal launch of the UN’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030. The UN Decade 2021-2030 is intended to massively scale up the restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems to fight the climate crisis, prevent the loss of a million species and enhance food security, water supply, and livelihoods.
In addition, there has been much debate to tackle the increasing temperature, and the World has joined forces through the Paris Agreement to reduce the global temperature by 1.
5 oC. However, it is a challenging task keeping in mind the ground realities.
Addressing the WED ceremony, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan, said that Pakistan is one of the countries that worries about future generations. In this regard, Pakistan planted enormous trees to contribute responsibly to the fight against climate change. About 80% of water in the country comes from glaciers melting at a furious rate due to increasing temperature. The world leaders have well appreciated the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme. The Ten Billion Tree Programme facilitates transition towards environmentally resilient Pakistan by mainstreaming notions of adaptation and mitigation through ecologically targeted initiatives covering afforestation, biodiversity conservation, and enabling environmental policy. He urged the World to help the developing nations in the fight against climate change. The PM also highlighted the importance of public support and awareness to contribute positively.
Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the importance of ecological civilization in the congratulatory letter to Pakistan at the World Environment Day event. Xi stressed the importance of ecology as it is significantly associated with the prosperity of civilization and praised Pakistan’s narrative.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also called for stepped-up efforts to counter the impacts of climate change. He applauded Pakistan’s efforts of planting billions of trees and promised to follow the path set by Pakistan for planting more trees and promoting the theme of this year’s World Environment Day, “Ecosystem restoration and resetting the relationship with nature.”
The situation in Pakistan is a bit different. Pakistan being a textile economy, utilizes a colossal amount of natural resources. The pollution is increasing day by day, and it is critical to building the institutional capacity of the health sector (at provincial, district, and local levels) concerning environmental hazards to reinforce surveillance, early detection, and response in the areas of infectious diseases, nutrition, respiratory diseases, water, and food safety. According to WHO Global Health Observatory, about 200 deaths per 100,000 population are attributable to environmental factors in Pakistan. The World Bank estimates that Pakistan’s annual burden of disease due to outdoor air pollution accounts for 22,000 premature adult deaths.
Pakistan was ranked as the second-most polluted country in the World during May 2021. Therefore, there is a strong need to control environmental pollution at the industry level. Proper SOPs and legislations should be made and strictly followed to cope with the threat. PM Imran Khan has asked for global funding for states with low carbon emissions. Pakistan is trying to reduce its already minimal emissions by switching 30% of its vehicles to electric transmission and ensuring 60% of its power generation through renewable resources by 2030. Industries and stakeholders should work together for the betterment of Pakistan and the World. Pakistan railway, for example, has announced that it will shift its 155 railway stations to solar energy under the direction of the government to use alternative environment-friendly energy resources. The PC-1 of the project ‘Solarisation and Commissioning of 155 railway stations’ was approved, and the project’s tender would be presented soon. Similarly, other industries, including textiles, should work on green energy projects to help conserve nature.
The efforts of the current Government of Pakistan have been appreciated globally, especially the tree plantation strategy.
Executive Director UN Environment Programme Inger Anderson said that Pakistan is displaying how to restore the ecosystem. President Word Economic Forum, Borge Brende, congratulating Pakistan, said that Pakistan is showing that it is possible to combine livelihood, resilience, and ecological health with these positive measures. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called for a global response to mitigate the daunting challenges posed by climate change across the World. Therefore, it can be said that the textile industries in Pakistan, being a major player and contributor to the economy and pollution, should focus more on sustainable practices. This is the only way Pakistan can win the battle against the water, food, and pollution problems.
