This is not just about Pakistan, which represents a moment in time, or window for us to act. And it being Pakistan is a true testament to our values.
Pakistan’s floods are cited as an apocalypse — submerging over a third of the country under water, affecting over 30 million people, destroying over one million homes, and leaving over 1,300 dead, including hundreds of children.
The floods manifest destruction, lost lives and devastating displacement for over 15 per cent of the population. Hygiene, spread of water-borne disease, and health, in general, are of acute concern. Also, arable land and agriculture have been severely affected.
According to Pakistani officials, the rebuild will cost over $13 billion.
Consequently, many are asking who owes Pakistan for this or who will pay for this — considering a key contributing factor is climate change and Pakistan contributes less than 1 per cent to carbon emissions.
Yet, this is hardly a question, as it may be eras before global leaders heed the prophetic words of Fatima Bhutto or have an elevation of conscience and consciousness that catalyzes collective action — mobilization of the kind that we have experienced with the Ukraine response.
Further, some say that response has diverted assets from climate mitigation and adaptation in the Global South. After all, to whom does the gigantic “lake” in Sindh and Balochistan matter — the one that is surrounded by the impoverished who had little to start? Simply put, their lives are...
Read Full Story: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2022/09/07/big-tech-needs-to-help-pakistan-the-ultimate-sustainability-test-case.html
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