Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Atta Tarar emphasized the urgent need to promote climate change awareness through education, media, and religious teachings during the Green Journalism Conference organized by COMSTECH on Wednesday.
He expressed appreciation to COMSTECH for facilitating this crucial and timely dialogue on environmental sustainability, highlighting that raising public consciousness is key to recognizing humanity’s duty to protect the planet.
Atta Tarar warned that climate change represents one of the most critical global challenges facing humanity in the coming decades. Citing concerns from the World Health Organization, he noted that climate change poses a severe threat to human survival over the next twenty years.
Although Pakistan contributes less than one percent to global carbon emissions, the minister pointed out that the country is among the most vulnerable to climate change effects. He stressed the importance of incorporating climate change education into school curricula, arguing that early awareness is essential for fostering long-term resilience.
Highlighting the role of religious teachings, Atta Tarar referenced Islamic principles that advocate environmental stewardship. He mentioned that both the Holy Quran and Hadith encourage planting trees and caring for nature, recalling the tradition that one should plant a sapling even if the Day of Judgment is imminent, emphasizing ongoing responsibility toward the environment.
The minister also noted that extreme weather events, deforestation, and glacial melting are already contributing to health problems within Pakistan. He called for coordinated action among all stakeholders, proposing a formal declaration to unite efforts and recommending that television channels allocate dedicated airtime for climate awareness campaigns.
