KARACHI: A day-long conference on climate change and Urdu literature was organised by the Federal Urdu University in collaboration with Malir University at the Arts Council of Pakistan on Wednesday.

In her introductory speech, Dr Yasmin Sultana said the theme of the moot is the most important issue of contemporary times. Scientists, thinkers and men of letters are trying to a find a solution to the problem. Climate change is endangering the lives of all creatures on planet earth — humans, animals, plants etc. The melting of glaciers, the depletion of ozone layer and deforestation are affecting us all. This is the reason that the average age of humans is lessening.

She also informed the audience on the various sessions (involving panel discussions and reading of poetry) lined up for the day.

In his address, Malir University Chancellor Prof Dr Tipu Sultan said the theme of the conference is not just important for Pakistan but has become the most sensitive issue all around the globe. Due to climate change, all parts of the world are faced with calamities such as flooding, storms and rapidly rising temperatures. Pakistan is one of those few countries which are faced with all such natural calamities.

He said what’s happening is largely due to our own faults. “Scientists everywhere have been highlighting the climate crisis for decades but international policymakers weren’t willing to pay heed to it, as a result of which the crisis has enveloped those countries [of policymakers] as well. They’re largely responsible for greenhouse gases emissions (GHG). Things have reached a point that the present era is called the age of global boiling.

“It is for the first time that in many countries temperatures rose to unimaginable limits and 60 per cent of the global population this year bore the brunt of the hottest month of June. According to an American research organisation, if greenhouse gases keep emitting in the coming few decades then South Asia will face unbearable hot weather. It is a fact that Pakistan’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is less than one per cent and yet it is counted as one of the worst climate change affected countries,” he said.

Dr Sultan said the problem is also causing the spread of a number of diseases.

Shifting his attention to Karachi he pointed out, “The change in temperatures, flooding, air pollution and the removal of greenery from the city turning it into a concrete jungle are factors because of which international institutions have called Karachi unliveable. We are all living in this unliveable city. It is an alarming situation. Predictions being made about Karachi are horrific. In order to improve the situation all of us, especially the young ones, should come forward. If each one of us plants two trees and look after them for a couple of years, then improvement could be witnessed in the years to come.”

Vice Consul General of Iran in Karachi Ghulam Abbas Zaboli spoke in Urdu in a nice accent and agreed with the speakers on the gravity of the issue. He also recited verses in Persian and the following two lines in Urdu on the subject:

Jangalon ko kaat ker kaisa ghazab hum ne kiya
Shehr jaisa aik aadam khor paida ker diya

[What have we done by cutting trees!
We have created a cannibal monster called city]

Faisal Edhi and Naveed Lakhani also addressed the opening session of the event.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2024