Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb warned that climate change is threatening food security and the livelihoods of millions in Pakistan. The country is most vulnerable to climate change, driven mainly by floods from unprecedented rainfall. Notable initiatives like the Glacier Conservation Strategy aim to enhance resilience against climate impacts, while the UN has declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized on Friday that climate change is severely affecting food production and livelihoods of millions in Pakistan. According to the Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2025 report by Germanwatch, Pakistan ranked as the most vulnerable country to climate change in 2022, primarily due to devastating floods caused by record monsoon rainfall and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
During a ceremony in Islamabad for the first ‘World Day of Glaciers,’ Aurangzeb remarked that the disturbed water cycle from rising global temperatures is adversely affecting crop yields and food security. He noted that the 2022 floods were exacerbated by GLOFs, with over 3,000 glacial lakes in Pakistan, 33 of which are highly unstable, putting more than seven million people at risk.
The minister advocated for a timely establishment of a Pakistan glacial protection and resiliency framework. Despite receiving pledges amounting to $10 billion post-floods, only one-third was actually received due to difficulties in developing bankable projects.
‘World Day of Glaciers’ aims to foster discussion on the significance of glaciers and their impact on global water, food, and energy security. As part of this observance, the Pakistani government is unveiling its first ‘Glacier Conservation Strategy’ to enhance efforts in protecting these essential ecosystems.
The continuous melting of glaciers poses risks such as GLOFs, landslides, and increased erosion, which threaten vulnerable infrastructures. Glaciers play a vital role in global climate regulation and provide freshwater essential for billions. Human-induced climate change since the 1800s has accelerated their rapid melting.
To address these concerns, the United Nations has proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation to underline their importance and ensure that affected communities have access to necessary climate services. This initiative highlights the critical role of mountain regions in providing global freshwater and ecosystem services.
The impacts of climate change on Pakistan’s glaciers and subsequently on food security and livelihoods are alarming and require immediate action. The establishment of the Glacier Conservation Strategy is a significant step, but it is equally essential to improve financial mechanisms for effective climate action. Enhanced capacity building and accessibility of funding will be crucial in addressing the challenges posed by climate change in future events.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
