By Abbas Nazil
A powerful call to action echoed from the halls of Beach Luxury Hotel as youth leaders, climate activists, researchers, and policymakers gathered for the two-day Youth Convention: Climate Change and Role of Youth.
Organized by the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) in collaboration with Obun2, Terre des Hommes, and other civil society organizations, the convention marked the launch of a landmark report titled The Impact of Climate Change on Children in Pakistan.
The event emphasized that children are among the most vulnerable to the worsening climate crisis and urged for immediate child-focused policies and youth-driven climate leadership.
The report, authored by researcher Javeria Khan and unveiled by Obun2, details a grim reality facing Pakistan’s children.
In the wake of the catastrophic 2022 floods, over 33 million people were affected—half of them children.
More than 26,000 schools were destroyed, disrupting the education of over two million students. In 2019 alone, 154,000 child deaths were linked to air pollution.
In 2024, 11 million children were exposed to toxic smog, and flood-hit regions witnessed a staggering 119 percent increase in child marriages. Only three percent of children currently have access to disaster preparedness education, further compounding their vulnerability.
“These numbers are not just statistics—they represent disrupted lives, derailed futures, and denied rights,” said Qindeel Shujaat, Executive Director of Obun2. “We must act now to secure a future where every child is safe, educated, and climate-resilient.”
Speakers from across sectors echoed the urgency. Terre des Hommes Country Head Salam Dharejo praised the energy and commitment of Pakistan’s youth, calling for their empowerment through tools and support.
Mehran Ali Shah, Chairman of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, emphasized the importance of giving youth leadership roles in climate solutions, while Iqbal Detho, Chairman of the Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC), framed climate change as a matter of justice, dignity, and human rights—particularly for children.
Representing the Sindh Directorate of Climate Change, Ayhan Mustafa Bhutto encouraged innovation, stating that the government must shift from being a bystander to an enabler.
The convention’s policy recommendations include establishing a Child Climate Fund, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, incorporating climate education into school curricula, expanding psychosocial support for children in disaster-affected areas, and partnering with the private sector for resilience programs.
The event featured dynamic youth-led panels, interactive exhibits, storytelling sessions, and policy dialogues.
Participants shared creative solutions, including clean energy proposals and localized climate adaptation strategies. The overarching sentiment was one of urgency and hope.
“This isn’t just a convention—it’s a movement,” said one young attendee. “We are the generation that will inherit this crisis, and we must act now to change its course.”
The convention concluded with a united call for immediate government action. Attendees demanded the integration of the report’s recommendations into Pakistan’s national climate policy and educational frameworks.
The gathering underscored that protecting children from climate change is not only a moral imperative but also a critical step in securing the country’s sustainable future.
