RFI’s Youth, Universities, and Climate Initiative aims to empower the future leaders of Developing and Least Developed Countries to tackle the climate crisis. These countries are most vulnerable to the effects of global warming, but their education system does not adequately prepare them for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Moreover, these countries lack local research to inform their policy and program development. RFI seeks to overcome these obstacles by engaging young people and universities in climate action.

Integrating Climate Change into Final-Year Theses

RFI conducts Climate Change Seminars to educate students and faculty on the causes and effects of climate change. We explain that climate change is relevant to all subjects and disciplines. We encourage students to incorporate climate change into their final-year theses. This helps them to learn how climate change relates to their subject and to produce useful research on the topics that are important for their countries.

Integrating Climate Change into Curriculum

Climate change is a cross-cutting issue that affects every aspect of the economy and society. It also results from the activities of various sectors that emit greenhouse gases. However, climate change is often seen as an environmental problem that is taught only in environmental departments. RFI aims to change this by helping faculties to incorporate climate change into all disciplines. This way, graduates from different fields can have the skills and knowledge to tackle the challenges of climate change.

Internship

RFI provides students with internships to gain hands-on skills on climate change matters.

RFI continues to collaborate with various universities and schools, expanding its network of partners. A few examples are given below.

University of Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila

University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi

Lahore College for Women University, Lahore

Iqra University, Islamabad

Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad

National Defence University Islamabad

Ripha University Islamabad

DHA Education System-I, Islamabad

Media Story on Universities Urged to Integrate Climate Change into Curriculum

https://www.nation.com.pk/13-Nov-2023/varsities-urged-to-integrate-climate-change-into-curriculum

Mr Aftab Alam Khan, international climate change expert and lead trainer shared that Pakistan crossed the line of water stressed country in 1990 and that of water scarce country in 2005. The unchanged situation would lead to absolute shortage of water in 2025. Such state of affairs is a receipt of disaster. Water intensive production system in agricultural and industrial sectors must be transformed into water smart systems. Government, academia, parliamentarians and civil society organizations need to play collective and collaborative role.

Beside water situation, Mr Aftab Alam, highlighted the impact of climate change on health, agriculture and food security. In 2021, the expanded timeline of dengue cases in Pakistan was one of the key impacts of climate change on health.  The rising trend of erratic rains challenges agricultural production. In 2020 monsoon season witnessed 41 percent above average rainfall whereas 2021 saw 9 percent below average rains.

While reflecting on the situation the journalists suggested climate emergency to ensure a focussed response against the challenges. Coordination system to be developed among all the stakeholders for collective planning, implementation and monitoring. The participants also discussed important role of media managers and owners to allocate greater sources for climate journalism.

“Very informative training on Climate Change. Presentations gave eye opening information on Climate issues”. Rahul Basharat, PTV World.

“This training session helped the participants to make their ideas in a compact form. It helped to better understand the growing issue of climate change.” Haider Abbas Baloch, Radio Pakistan.

“It was very informative session on Climate Change. We learnt about the changing climatic patterns. What causes global warming and the major greenhouse sources. The terms, adaptation and mitigation, and how they relate to climate change. We also discussed social responsibilities and roles of journalists, media, government, local people and society.”, Ms Lubna Sajjad, High-Class News.“

Rana Kashif, Director Environment, CDA distributed certificates among the participants and highlighted CDA’s contribution towards environmental development of the capital.

Ms Shazia Shaheen, Head of Program, underscored SPO’s work on capacity building against climate change and developing resilient solutions at local levels. RFI and SPO committed to continue trainings for journalists and other stakeholders in the country.

Press Statement by Resilient Future International Pvt Ltd

March 14, 2022

A new report by a United Nations body- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights that Pakistan would face greater consequences of climate change in coming decades both in rural and urban areas.

The following findings are analyzed in a press statement of Resilient Future International Pvt Ltd, (RFI) an Islamabad based research and training company.

The Sixth IPCC Report ‘Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability’ February 28, 2022 shares the most advanced compendium of current and future climatic impacts in the world. Nearly 1000 authors reviewed 34 thousand scientific reports in 6-7 years to prepare this report, which was approved by 195 governments worldwide.   

It shows that up to 3.6 billion people live in highly vulnerable countries of South Asia, Small Island Developing States, the Arctic, Central and South America, and sub-Saharan Africa. Climatic vulnerability is exacerbated by inequity linked to gender, ethnicity, low income and other forms of marginalization.

The IPCC report places Pakistan among highly vulnerable countries and cites that rural and urban areas would face greater impacts of climate change. Pakistan is already among top ten climate impacted countries.

Hyderabad is going to be the hottest city in Pakistan, followed by Jacobabad, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur.  Karachi would also face severe heat waves.  In urban areas people’s income, health, lives, properties, energy and transportation systems are adversely affected by heatwaves, floods, drought, storms and sea level rise.

The report warns about future locust attacks.  Conducive temperature and increased rains in deserts would create favourable conditions for breeding and outbreak of locust. Important to note that recent locust attack in Pakistan, South Asia and Africa had destroyed crops and farmers’ income. Pakistan had lost 2 percent of agricultural production in the fiscal year 2019-20.

Agriculture in Pakistan faces greater disease attacks and crop losses due to floods, droughts and heatwaves. Warmer climate is leading to quicker grain formation phase in drylands areas of Southern Punjab. The IPCC report notes the issue of quicker grain formation as an irreversible impact of climate change. The report underscores that agrochemicals have degraded several parts Pakistan, Nepal, India and China. 

The report also cites successful and unsuccessful climate adaptation practices. In Pakistan changes in crop sowing and harvesting times and rural urban migration are among the coping practices. It categorizes plantation of Eucalyptus trees in Pakistan as maladaptation due to their high water uptake. Maladaptation means initiative that causes more harm than benefits for environment.   

Aftab Alam Khan CEO, Resilient Future International Pvt Ltd noted that “The new IPCC report reveals that risks indicated in the past reports are already turning into realities.  Our economy faces serious climate consequences. All departments in federal and provincial governments need to take lead. It’s crucial to uplift climate work by integrating agriculture extension, universities, health departments, rural, urban authorities and private sector. We should develop research based medium and long term plans as part of National Adaptation Plans. Inclusive process with urban authorities, universities, private sector, women and men farmers, and civil society organizations would ensure relevant and pragmatic plan.”

“It’s high time to train all sectors on challenges and opportunities of climate change. Health, agriculture, industries, media and IT sectors can contribute towards climate resilient and water smart economy. Universities can lead in research and technologies while private sector can produce climate smart products”.

Pakistan to face much more water issues in future. Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and India together account for 50 percent of global ground water withdrawal.  In coming decades water demand for irrigation, industry and household in Asia will increase by 30-40 percent.

The report also mentions increasing malnutrition, child stunting and health impacts such as dengue, malaria, intestine infections and waterborne diseases due to climatic changes.

Resilient Future International Pvt Ltd is a research and training company based in Islamabad, Pakistan.

For further comments or interview please write to info@resilient-future.org and/or

 WhatsApp: +923008523118

The Pro Vice Chancellor of University of Swabi, Dr Mukarram Shah, in his inaugural speech highlighted the troika of climate crisis – population growth, rising consumer demand and deforestation. Dr Shah called for collaborative initiatives to deal with the menace of climate change. He appreciated RFI team visit and agreed with Aftab Alam Khan’s suggestion to integrate climate related aspects in the curriculum.

The CEO, RFI Mr Aftab Alam Khan delivered a key note lecture on ‘Climate Change, Challenges and Opportunities for a new economic landscape’. He discussed the impact of climate on agriculture and food security and adaptation mechanisms to deal with the challenge. Among others, he noted that climate change was already impacting food security in the country. In April 2019, excessive rainfalls and hailstorm had destroyed around 0.25 million tons of wheat in central Punjab – that was equal to 01 percent loss of national production. Consequently, the country had faced severe food crisis in December 2019-Janburay 2020 due to shortage of wheat flour. The federal cabinet had to decide importing wheat to address the situation. Mr. Aftab Alam Khan noted that if 01 percent loss could lead to food crisis, imagine the severity of crisis when climate change would lead to 7-10 percent wheat production losses. He stressed upon the need of integrating climate change into agriculture related policies and curriculum of agricultural universities.

Mr Aftab Alam Khan also highlighted the issues of water intensive industrial production of leather shoes, sugar, textile and cola drinks in a country that faces sever water shortage due to climate change and mismanagement of water resources. He called for technological development to set the course for a new climate resilient economic landscape. He offered RFI services for awareness raising, research excellence and curriculum change.

Mr Muhammad Ali Khan Director Environment Protection Agency (EPA) North in his speech, emphasized the need for collaboration among EPA, university and private sector to address practical challenges of climate change. Ms Zakia Javed, Deputy Director (EPA), KP talked about natural and anthropogenic causes of climate change. Ms Javed also presented in details the role and programs of EPA to address the issue of climate change.

Ms Iqra Khan, Youth Ambassador of RFI and student of Fauji Foundation Medical University talked about importance of climate change for youth, human health and the need for networking, learning and sharing. Ms Iqra also shared RFI plans on capacity building webinars and blogging space for youth.

Dr Mukhtar Alam, Dean in his closing remarks referred to the classic book ‘GAIA’ by James Lovelock and reminded the participants that taking care of earth and its resources is essential for the survival of human beings.

In the bilateral discussions Dr Mukarram Shah and Mr Aftab Alam Khan agreed to continue collective efforts against climate change. Mr Aftab Alam Khan thanked Dr Nazish Huma Khan for her leadership to organize the seminar. Dr Nazish converted the request of Ms Sundas (student of UOS) into a successful seminar by inviting presentations of different stakeholders. Mr Aftab also appreciated efforts of Ms Sundas and Ms Iqra Khan to sow the seeds of this event.

Ehsaan Khan – Student of grade 4

If I were planet earth I would be crying because men cut down trees and forests and also burn them. Therefore,  we have fewer trees and less greenery. I love trees because they give us fresh air, shade and stop big rocks from sliding.

If I were planet earth I would be crying because people throw plastic bottles, glass bottles and trash everywhere in streets, markets, oceans, lakes, river etc. This is not healthy for us, animals and for aquatic life.

If I were planet earth I would be crying due to burning of plastic bags. When we burn they release  dangerous smoke in the air making it unhealthy for our lungs, including of those who burn it. We must stop producing and using plastic bags. Already existing plastic bags should be recycled to make interesting and beautiful things.

Let us make a promise that:

• We will not cut down trees.
• We will not put trash and plastic bottles in streets, ,markets, oceans and lakes.
• We will not produce and use plastic bags.
• We will recycle existing plastic bags and will not not burn them. 
• We will take care of our earth and our environment. 
• We will fight against climate change.

Ehsaan is a grade 4 student with a school in Rawalpindi Pakistan.  This manuscript received first position in a creative writing competition at his school. 

Picture credits: a) Burning trees and globe by Pixabay, b) Bottles by Mali Maedar .

For comments please write to crvoices@gmail.com.

Today I want to share my thoughts about a problem which every living being is facing. I mean Climate Change and rising temperature of the earth.

I visited recently THAL desert in Punjab, Pakistan.  In winter, it used to present beautiful scenic views due to its greenery.  Unfortunately, this year there is no greenery due to scanty rainfall in the area.

People are unable to cultivate their crops this year. This is an alarming situation. Problem is not limited to income loss but also affecting normal living.

People are facing shortage of drinking water. At some places the water is very contaminated, unfit for drinking. But due to poverty and lack of resources, people are bound to drink that polluted water. They cannot afford to fetch water from main city which is 30 to 35 kilometers away from their residences.

The conditions of women and children are the worst. Their physical appearance was showing their miserable health. This is a sad reality that people in this area are helpless. Even in case of emergency, ambulance takes about one hour or more to reach.

In this era, people of THAL are still living in miserable conditions. The problem is not too big to be solved but it requires competent authorities to take interest.  Not a single department is showing any concern regarding these problems.

If such problems are not eradicated timely, I am afraid, we will lose the natural beauty of our land and eventually many valuable lives.

Ms Mehvish Majeed is a rural woman from Layyah, Punjab and associated with education sector. Please send your comments to crvoices@gmail.com

Climate change is regarded as the most daunting challenge of this millennium. On the other hand decision makers face questions for the lack of self-accountability and insensitivity towards the future of today’s youth.

The damage done is done, but we can still make efforts to save future of earth. How are we supposed to do that? Although, climate actions need huge resources,  the use of existing resources for strategic actions have their own significance.  Be it tree plantation, saying no to plastic bags, making and using eco-friendly items  for daily life,  joining climate  activism, reading about it and most important educating others about it. That can be done by putting social media into use. Empowering and motivation can be tools to engage youth and educate them. Youth has an essential role in all these efforts.  

A recent study shows that countries – with youth majority –  have high level of  dependence  on agriculture. This sector  is badly  affected by climate change. Unemployment and lack of opportunities arise due to such conditions. Youth finds it challenging to earn livelihoods for themselves and families, especially in low income countries.

Green jobs and green economy awareness can help as a solution. Green jobs  help environment and its detoxification. Such as, water conservation, sustainable forestry, solar power and the like.  

Climate change got worse because of unawareness and harmful actions that led to irreversible damage to ecosystem. This comes to a point that awareness and considerate actions/decisions taken at individual and institutional levels will eventually rejuvenate the environment for us and the generations to come.

Universities and educational institutions can play important role. Such as seminars for faculty and students as well as integrating climate change in the curriculum.

Glasgow Climate Conference is the most important opportunity to take actions. ‘Youth4Climate: Driving Ambition’, Pre-Cop, is the initiative of UN to involve youth as proposers and decision makers against climate change. It was a part of pre-cop meeting held in Milan, Italy.

Ex-president of USA Barack Obama will also join youth activists during COP 26. This will amplify youth voices in climate activism.

Global leaders should make tangible commitments against climate crisis in Glasgow Conference.

Ms. Iqra Khan is a Climate Change activist and student of a medical university in Islamabad.