Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that climate change is already impacting food production and livelihoods in Pakistan, the most vulnerable country to climate change as per the 2022 Climate Risk Index. During the first ‘World Day of Glaciers’ event, he highlighted the importance of a glacial protection strategy and emphasized the need for capacity-building despite receiving financial pledges. The United Nations has designated 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation to raise awareness of their significance.
On Friday, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb addressed the pressing issue of climate change’s impact on Pakistan, stating that it has already affected food production and the livelihoods of millions. In 2022, Pakistan ranked as the most vulnerable country to climate change according to the Climate Risk Index (CRI) report released by Germanwatch. The country’s ranking was mainly attributed to unprecedented floods caused by record monsoon rainfall and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
During a ceremony in Islamabad marking the inaugural ‘World Day of Glaciers,’ the finance minister remarked that the disruption of the water cycle due to rising global temperatures is adversely impacting crop yields. He noted, “This disturbed water cycle [due to rising global temperatures] in turn is already impacting crop yields, food production and the livelihood of millions.” He further detailed the 2022 floods, highlighting that 33 out of over 3,000 glacial lakes in Pakistan are particularly volatile, endangering over seven million individuals.
The finance minister emphasized the alarming nature of these statistics and the critical need for a glacial protection and resiliency framework. He stated, “While financing is critical, the real challenge for us is capacity building.” Although Pakistan received $10 billion in pledges post-flood, only a fraction has been accessed due to the lack of investable projects.
The first ‘World Day of Glaciers’ aims to foster dialogue and action surrounding the status of the global glaciers and the implications of the melting cryosphere on water, food, and energy security. In response, the Pakistani government is launching its first ‘Glacier Conservation Strategy’ to enhance protection efforts for these essential ecosystems.
Rapid glacier retreat poses significant risks, including extreme weather events and evolving disaster hazards for populations and infrastructure. Glaciers play a vital role in climate regulation and provide freshwater for billions. However, significant melting persists primarily due to human-induced climate change since the 1800s.
In 2025, the United Nations will designate the year as the International Year of Glacier Preservation to highlight the importance of glaciers and the need to support those dependent on them. This initiative aims to reinforce the significance of mountain regions as crucial sources of freshwater and ecosystem services at a global level.
In conclusion, climate change poses a severe threat to Pakistan, affecting food security and the livelihoods of millions. The government’s recognition of the issue underscores the urgency to develop protective measures and a robust infrastructure for resilience against glacial retreat. As the world observes the first ‘World Day of Glaciers,’ it is vital that both national and international efforts prioritize glacier preservation to secure essential freshwater resources and mitigate the impacts of climate change at large.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
