KARACHI: A large number of fisherfolk, climate and human rights activists on Friday staged a rally in solidarity with the ‘March to End Fossil Fuels’ scheduled for Sept 17 in New York.

The rally, Climate Justice March, was organised by the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF). The participants started their march at the Governor House and culminated at the Karachi Press Club (KPC).

While emphasising that the success of a rapid and equitable phase-out of fossil fuels depends primarily on the leaders of developed nations with significant historical responsibility for the climate crisis, PFF’s general secretary Saeed Baloch stressed the need for wealthy countries to fulfil their climate finance obligations to enable developing nations, which bear the brunt of the climate crisis despite being the least responsible, to transition swiftly to efficient and renewable energy sources.

PFF’s senior vice chairperson Fatima Majeed highlighted the importance of fishermen’s participation in these mobilisations to demand an end to the era of fossil fuels, which has caused environmental damage, polluted air and water, and exploited communities for profit.

Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum organises Climate Justice March in solidarity with a planned rally in New York

She stressed that there should be no further expansion of oil, gas, and coal in Pakistan or anywhere else in Asia.

Expressing his concern about the failure to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees centigrade, Yasir Husain, coordinator for the Climate Action Centre (CAC), spoke about the urgent need to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

He said that false solutions such as carbon capture, hydrogen and gas as transition fuels were being promoted, contrary to scientific recommendations for a sustainable planet.

Referring to recent data, Ahmed Shabbar of the Maholiati March confirmed that no new fossil fuel extraction can be developed if we are to limit warming to 1.5°C. He advocated for the early closure of over half of existing fields and mines while ensuring protection for workers and communities.

Meanwhile, the ‘March to End Fossil Fuels’ calls on US President Joe Biden to take decisive climate action by opposing new fossil fuel projects and declaring a climate emergency.

Millions of people across the globe are expected to join more than 700 climate marches and actions planned between Sept 15 and 17.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2023