The recently concluded COP-27 has exposed the problems of COPs even more. The challenge for the world leaders has been a transition from talk and promises on paper, to walk on the ground. According to a UN climate change report, as recently as since COP-26 took place in Glasgow last year, only 29 out of 194 countries came forward with tightened national plans. COP-27 had a sense of urgency to it because of the alarming climate change manifestations. The reality of which is glaring humanity in the face. An example is of course the worst floods in Pakistan’s history. An internationally supported study has found that recent catastrophic floods in Pakistan have inflicted more than $30 billion in economic losses and have inundated a third of the country, a size equal to the UK. The 33 million people displaced by the floods are equal to half of the UK’s population, it is five times higher than the people displaced by the Ukraine crisis.
However, the world and Pakistan should’ve seen it coming, because in the last two decades the country has experienced 152 extreme events, triggered by climate change including floods, heatwaves, and forest fires. This situation is not just confined to Pakistan. In 2021, major climate disasters such as snowstorms, famine, deadly floods and wildfires to record-breaking rainfall and temperatures, struck many countries including the United States, Greece, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India and China among others. All have been affected by climate change triggered disasters.