Medical experts have revealed that between 1990 and 2018, 35% of heat-related deaths globally were a result of human-induced climate change.
At a conference held at the Aga Khan University (AKU) Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD), experts warned that if immediate actions are not taken, this rate could increase in low and middle-income countries like Pakistan.
The conference, which was attended by national and international experts, policymakers, and researchers, aimed to propose practical actions to address issues such as climate change, agriculture, and nutrition.
In his keynote address, Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta, founder director of IGHD, described climate change as a multifaceted crisis, stating that it is not only an environmental issue but also has deep impacts on health, nutrition, and the economy.
Professor Sir Andrew Haines from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Dr. Lynette Neufeld from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Dr. Harris Ghazdar from the Collective for Social Science Research shared their insights on the impacts of climate change and potential solutions.
Experts warned that Pakistan faces challenges such as extreme heat, unpredictable weather, and food shortages, with rural women bearing the brunt of these impacts. The need for comprehensive and equitable strategies to address this crisis was emphasized.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission, said that while the challenges of addressing climate change are unprecedented, there are also opportunities for innovation and progress.
Dr. Suleman Shahabuddin, President of Aga Khan University, stated that their effort is to find sustainable solutions through collaborative research to help Pakistan overcome this crisis and pave the way for a better future.
The two-day conference aimed to develop evidence-based policies to address the impacts of climate change on agriculture, health, and nutrition in Pakistan, and to bring together experts from various fields to move towards a sustainable and secure future.
