Lahore, August 11, 2023 (PPI-OT):The Center for Security, Strategy and Policy Research (CSSPR), The University of Lahore (UOL) is doing a lot of research and policy work ahead of Pakistan’s 76th birth anniversary, with a view to not only identifying key challenges that the country faces but also proposing viable solutions to navigate those. As part of these efforts, the centre published a Policy Brief, in which Dr Rabia Akhtar (Director, CSSPR), Dr Asif Amin (Research Fellow), and Muhammad Ahsan (Research Associate) focused on Pakistan’s climate change woes.

Explaining how climate change is hurting Pakistan and fast-becoming a veritable, foremost security threat, the authors argued that the phenomena of environmental degradation, natural disasters, and displacement are exacerbating existing and underlying security concerns. Therefore, they lamented that the current narrative does not speak to the gravity of the situation, adding that this must change through the adoption of a holistic approach that combines various social, economic, and environmental facets.

Keeping all this in mind, the authors spoke to the importance of effective communication on climate change, arguing that the current approaches to communication need to change. Indeed, they stressed the need for changing the nature of the discourse from one that focuses on changing individuals’ behaviours to one that takes into account the complex interplay between the various constituents of the communication chain. They contended that “a systemic approach to climate change communication will not only be critical for building resilience to climate change in

Pakistan but also for promoting sustainable development and social justice more broadly.”

Also, they shed light on how communication can be bettered by leveraging Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and social media given that they are instrumental in disseminating information quickly and widely.

Thereafter, the authors went on to give a list of policy recommendations that, if adopted, could help Pakistan fight the scourge of climate change. First, they argued that Pakistan must improve and strengthen its early warning capabilities and systems. This, according to them, will remain critical to reducing damages to lives and livelihoods given that timely alerts give authorities the space to prepare for impending disasters.

Second, they suggested buttressing the country’s disaster preparedness and response. As part of this recommendation, they particularly focused on the need for training personnel to handle logistical, operational, psychological, and physical challenges that could emanate from climate change-induced disasters.

Third, they suggested the preparation of flood risk maps so as to identify vulnerable areas and plan accordingly. Fourth, they urged the government to undertake smart, balanced investments in infrastructure so as it to make it more resilient to disasters going forward.

Fifth, the authors mentioned how important it is to involve communities into our efforts to fight climate change, adding that they must be trained in, and made more cognizant about, dealing with various stages of disaster management.

Sixth, they argued that organizations within local communities must be empowered to act as points of liaison. This, according to them, will increase individuals ‘sense of belonging and responsibilities to act in concert to prevent and manage disasters. Seventh, the authors, understanding the fact that climate change is a common threat, argued that regional cooperation to confront this phenomenon is absolutely essential, one that would certainly require deft, painstaking climate diplomacy.

The said brief, it must be stressed, is part of a series of activities and programs that CSSPR is committed to doing, with a view to generating a robust debate and nuanced discourse on climate change. Both CSSPR and UOL are mindful of the deleterious ramifications of ignoring this menace. The time to act for Pakistan is now, and CSSPR feels that it and other academic and research institutions have a major role to play in giving Pakistan an intellectual roadmap to follow.

For more information, contact:

The University of Lahore

1 – KM Defence Road, Lahore, Pakistan

Tel: +92-42-111-865-865, +92-42-35322501 +92-42-35321761

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.uol.edu.pk