Climate crisis reflects failure of global justice, says Dr Musadik

News Desk 

Lahore: Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik on Saturday framed the global climate crisis as a breakdown of international justice and cooperation rather than merely an environmental emergency, urging wealthier nations to be held accountable for disproportionate climate damage inflicted on developing countries.

Speaking at a session titled “From Lab to World Stage: The Power of Science Diplomacy” during ThinkFest 2026 at the Alhamra Arts Council, the minister stressed that isolated scientific research was no longer sufficient to address the scale of the crisis. Instead, he called for a shift toward “science diplomacy” — a collaborative global approach that transcends political divisions.

“Science is the only language that remains universal,” Dr Malik said, arguing that shared research and cross-border scientific partnerships can bridge geopolitical rifts and drive collective climate action.

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Highlighting Pakistan’s vulnerability, he pointed out that despite contributing less than one percent to global carbon emissions, the country remains among those most exposed to climate-induced disasters. For developing countries, he said, access to scientific collaboration is not a privilege but a matter of survival.

Dr Malik also criticised the global economic imbalance underpinning the climate crisis, noting that countries benefiting most from carbon-intensive growth often escape its immediate consequences, while poorer nations absorb the environmental and human costs.

“It is fundamentally unjust that profits are privatized by a few, while climate consequences are socialized among the many,” he said, calling for a global financial accountability mechanism to ensure high-emitting countries shoulder responsibility for climate damages.

His remarks resonated strongly with the audience, reinforcing Pakistan’s position as a vocal advocate for climate justice on the international stage. The minister urged global policymakers to ground climate action in both scientific evidence and ethical responsibility to ensure equitable outcomes.

ThinkFest 2026, running from January 23 to 25 at Alhamra, The Mall, has brought together scholars, policymakers, journalists, artists and activists from Pakistan and abroad to debate pressing national and global challenges. The event offers free public entry to encourage wider civic engagement.