Pakistan Flooding Shows ‘Adapting’ to Climate Change Can Be a Dangerous Illusion — Global Issues
PARIS, September 14 (IPS) – One third of the land area of Pakistan is now underwater. It is difficult to determine the extent of the devastation, not only the magnitude of the devastation that its inhabitants are facing today, but also the damage to infrastructure, buildings and foundations. Its economy will weigh heavily on the country for months and even years to come.
While experts can debate the extent of Greenhouse gas emissions affecting Pakistan’s weather patterns may be to blameThe scale of this devastation highlights the shortcomings of conceptualizing “adaptation” as a meaningful strategy to respond to the ravages of climate change.
Pakistan is facing the kind of mass destruction that is common in wars – and not just any war, but total war that ravages entire regions and countries. This is something that many countries suffered during World War II and others in recent conflicts. In Pakistan, it’s not the military but climate change fueled at least in part by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that clog our atmosphere.
The core strategic element of the international effort to tackle climate change is “suitability“Specifically the action”respond to past and present climate change impacts, as well as prepare for future impacts. “This works in tandem with “mitigation“It focuses on reducing GHG emissions.
Because our historical and future GHG emissions will create climate change to some extent, we really need to fund measures to respond to the inevitable changes. wider range of weather and climate patterns – even if through mitigation action we seek to reduce our GHG emissions to limit the extent of climate change.
However, recent events in Pakistan show the shortcomings of an adaptive strategy in the face of widespread devastation. Any notion of “adapting” to these events is misplaced miserably. We cannot, nor can nations, adapt to the ravages of war. They can fight, fight, find a way to recover, but the tragedy they have suffered cannot be erased.
And while the number of deaths attributed to climate change is now thought to be less than that of war, the potential for destruction of property, livelihoods and economies is similar for both.
The goals and factors proposed by experts in the “adaptation” effort are relevant. We must find ways to limit the damage caused by changes in our climate, to accelerate recovery from extreme climate events, and even looking for potential opportunities.
We must invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, drought-resistant crops and other enhanced farming practices, better weather forecasting, tools to reconnect resources. electricity faster and countless other measures. And these efforts need to be tailored to the changes in our climate. Furthermore, as climate experts and others advocate, more resources need to go into the field.
But while technocrats and politicians in the past used the term “adaptation”, what today’s events in Pakistan show is that you can’t really adapt to climate change and its potential for widespread destruction – especially as developing countries do not have the financial resources to combat extreme weather events.
Even on a smaller scale in both developing and wealthier advanced economies, the increasing number and severity of wildfires, heatwaves and localized floods are causing devastating effects. irreparable damage. Humans are lost. While they can restore and rebuild their home or business, there are harms and often tragedies. People die from climate change. Too much is lost forever.
There is an increasing number of discussions in the international climate arena around payments for “Loss and Damage” caused by climate change. This type of funding, including additional adaptation measures, can help – but it will not fix the problem, especially when Great devastation is possible.
Pakistan cannot be expected to adapt to having a third of its country underwater. Families should not be expected to adapt to the tragedy that climate change can cause.
Let’s find another term that better conveys what is really within our grasp in responding to climate change so that we can more clearly assess the climate threats we face. we have to face. The global community can truly work to lessen the loss people will suffer and do even better at helping them recover and rebuild. But actually “adapting” to the devastation that climate change can cause is a dangerous misconception.
Yes, more funding is needed to adapt and help poorer countries respond to climate disasters. But what the events in Pakistan show is that much more needs to be done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thereby limit the magnitude of climate change and its accompanying devastating forces that humans will face.
Philippe Benoit has more than 20 years of experience working on international energy, climate and development issues, including management positions at the World Bank and the International Energy Agency. He is currently the director of research at Global Infrastructure Analysis and Sustainability 2050.
© Inter Press Service (2022) – All rights reservedOrigin: Inter Press Service
