Pakistan's Crisis Is Trailer Of What Could Happen To World: Ex-union Minister

Amid the economic and climate crisis in Pakistan, former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu on Monday said that currently what happening in the country is probably a trailer of what could happen to the whole world if we don’t work together.

While speaking at the 19th Indo-US Economic Summit, Prabhu said, “We all are focused on economic growth, but the economy itself is hit by climate change in Pakistan. Most of the good part of the gross domestic product (GDP) will have to be devoted to rebuilding, rescue and storage.” 

One-third of Pakistan is now underwater and the lands cultivated for a long time may not become cultivatable for some time at least. Also, the damage it has done to the property is huge and colossal, the ex-minister added. 

Prabhu also said that it is happening at a time when Europe facing unprecedented heatwaves and water in most of the important rivers of the world is no longer flowing and rivers and becoming dry.         

He praised the Indo-American chamber program and said, “I must welcome the initiative of President Biden in terms of the new initiative he has taken which is unprecedented. I would call it to historical to some extent and also, path-breaking in many ways. So, this is the very thing that America is talking about the leadership of big issues after a time when various administrations are questioning whether climate change exists or not.” 

Suresh also spoke on the solution to climate change and said that Hydrogen is a good solution, particularly for liquid flowing for mobility, but in India, we have to convert water into fresh water to make hydrogen.  

While sharing the consequences of the energy transition, he said, “We should think very carefully because energy transition should not leave to some challenges to agriculture because agriculture can not survive without water and no human being can survive without water.” 

Sri Iyer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Hero Future Energies said that about 80 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions come from one form of energy, the other 20 per cent are from methane, nixes and other gases primarily coming from agriculture, land use and forestry, etc. 

Electricity share is about 20 per cent in greenhouse gas emission, transportation is about 35 per cent while industrial which includes commercial is about 25 per cent, the other which includes residential constitutes about 20 per cent. 

Sri said, “We produce electricity today and the bulk of electricity does come from greenhouse gases. So, the first step is to decarbonise electricity production. The second critical point is how do you see other 60 per cent resources to move that to electricity.”