By: Asim Nawaz
In a bid to strengthen global efforts to avoid the devastating effects of climate change, C40 World Summit is held in Buenos Aires the capital of Argentina. Young Pakistani environmental activist Zainab Waheed participated in the forum. Zainab urges the developed countries – responsible for the recent catastrophic floods in Pakistan due to climate change – to cover the losses of about 30 billion dollars.
The three-day conference of city mayors had the representation of more than 150 countries, Zainab Waheed presented the case to the world leaders that Pakistan is a strong country, she said that Pakistan won the fight against terrorism and other odds but it cannot cope with the devastating effects of climate change alone.
She added that recent floods in Pakistan caused damages of 30 billion dollars and left 3.3 million citizens homeless. Two million women in flood-affected areas were deprived of basic necessities and millions of children were deprived of education. Due to the global economic situation, it is not enough for Pakistan to stand on its own feet again without external assistance. Zainab made it clear to the international community that Pakistan is not asking for charity but for the legitimate right of the developed countries who are actually responsible for these damages. Addressing the world leaders, Zainab said that if immediate steps are not taken to deal with the problem of climate change, the planet will not be able to live.
Zainab Waheed terming climate change a social injustice issue, urged the world to take necessary actions in this regard. She also said that the youth will not let anyone compromise their future and is ready to fight for their rights.