FORTY-FIVE years ago on this day, the United Nations’ World Environment Day was first celebrated. Throughout the world, on June 5, efforts are made at creating greater awareness of environmental issues and finding solutions to the world’s most pressing climate-related problems. Since 1974, the day has increasingly assumed global significance, with country after country realising the import of a joint natural heritage that transcends borders. Glass ceilings have been shattered and information is easily accessible to everyone. And yet, despite all their technological advancements and research, societies and governments have moved away from a basic truth about the crucial link between human existence and nature. In all these years, we have only seen climate patterns change at an accelerating speed, with commerce and convenience trumping environmental concerns in a world where so-called ‘free-market’ greed and desire reign supreme — with no realistic alternatives in sight to replace that system.

In the past few years alone, we have witnessed our mighty rivers and oceans clogged with toxic waste and plastic; the death of coral reefs that maintain the ecosystem for diverse marine life; ferocious wildfires swallowing everything in their path; glaciers melting at terrifying speed; rising water levels, heavy rainfall and flooding that destroy and displace in equal measure; droughts and heatwaves that scorch the earth and kill vegetation, animal and human life; rising food shortage; and large-scale climate-caused migration. And it is only expected to get worse. Despite growing evidence of the catastrophes posed by climate change, there are still some among those occupying the most powerful positions in the world who deny the reality of global warming. In 2015, the Paris Agreement stated that the responsibility for halting climate change rests with each nation. Its aim was to reduce global warming to below 2°C — unfortunately, we are not even close to achieving that goal, and greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase.

As many parts of Pakistan are currently gripped by a suffocating heat wave, policymakers must reflect on whether they are keeping their promise. That Pakistan is the world’s seventh most vulnerable country to the risks of climate change is an oft-repeated statistic. This year’s theme in particular — ‘air pollution’ — is something the country is no stranger to. For the past few years, several parts of the country have been enveloped in thick smog at certain times of the year, presenting a health emergency. According to a Washington-based report, Pakistan is second only to India and China when it comes to mortality rates connected to poor air quality. Pakistan may be fortunate to have a prime minister who refers to himself as an environmentalist and clings to an idealism that is refreshing. But until the idealism translates into long-lasting change that can be seen (and breathed), it will remain a hollow and futile sentiment.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2019