“1.5 degrees is a mirage”, Senator Sherry Rehman warns of unprecedented climate risks at forum for friendly exchanges among legislators in China

Shanghai: Senator Sherry Rehman, Vice President and parliamentary leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the Senate of Pakistan, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change in Pakistan, delivered a powerful address at the Forum for Friendly Exchanges Among Legislators in China, emphasizing the urgent need for global cooperation in addressing the escalating climate crisis. Speaking to a distinguished audience of legislators and experts, Senator Rehman highlighted the severity of climate change and the vital role that China plays in shaping a sustainable future.

In her opening remarks, Senator Rehman expressed her deep appreciation for the Chinese hosts and the hospitality extended during the forum, noting the invaluable lessons learned from China’s journey in addressing environmental pollution and climate change. She stated, “The hospitality has been unmatchable, and the attention to detail, the glimpses into history that we saw of China, of Shanghai, and how the city has grown and how it has coped with both environmental pollution and climate change challenges, is really a learning laboratory for us all.”

Drawing on the wisdom of the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, Senator Rehman observed the transformative nature of China’s development over the years. “You can never step into the same river twice, for it is not the same river, nor are you the same person,” she quoted, reflecting on the rapid changes she has witnessed in China since her first visit in 1988. “China has never been the same China twice, and neither has it left any of us the same. We stand transformed after our visit, because while the country retains its core values, it has stepped into the 21st century by growing, changing, and adapting in quantum leaps.”

Addressing the global climate crisis, Senator Rehman highlighted the unprecedented scale and nature of the challenge, calling for collective action to combat its effects. “The climate knows no borders, and it is one of the 21st century problems without a passport,” she asserted. “If a crisis lands in my country, like the great flood of 2022, then one day, sooner or later, a similar crisis will land at your doorstep. No one, whether wealth or elite privilege, will be safe, which is why we need to come together to bring multilateral heft and muscle to the problem.”

Senator Rehman pointed out the stark reality that the world is off track in meeting the goals set by the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. “At the COPs, we say 1.5 as a goal is no longer alive. That is a fact that we should face and tackle with transformative energy, focus, and determination, and once again, with unity.”

She also highlighted the alarming data, citing that on July 4, 2024, the planet experienced its hottest day in 100,000 years. “This crisis is here to stay if we don’t tackle it,” she warned. “It is a test not only for multilateralism but also for markets, which are operating now all over the world, including China, and their ability to turn down the thermostat of an increasingly Red Planet is clearly limited.”

Senator Rehman stressed that climate change disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan, which contribute minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions yet bear the brunt of climate disasters. “Pakistan emits less than 1% of greenhouse gases, yet we are one of the most climate-stressed countries in the world. Yet we are striving to institutionalize our national response as responsible global actors. The repercussions of climate change in one zone inevitably cascade into others, while their impacts are widely divergent and, worse, even more unequally financed.”

Senator Rehman pointed out that the financing needs of vulnerable nations are growing exponentially, yet the commitments from the Global North remain insufficient. “In South Asia alone,” she explained, “10–18% of GDP is at risk from climate disasters, with Pakistan and Bangladesh among the most vulnerable countries,” she noted. “In 2022, we faced the single most catastrophic flood known on the planet for the century, with one-third of the country underwater and an economic shock of $30 billion.”

She further elaborated on the inequality exacerbated by climate change, stating, “Inequality lies at the heart of this multilateral challenge, because it taxes and burdens the poorest, whether they’re in your country or another. It leaves countries with entire economies wiped out and so much debt that they are both drowning in debt and water.”

Turning to Pakistan’s specific challenges, Senator Rehman highlighted the country’s vulnerability to extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 53 degrees Celsius in some regions, making them uninhabitable. She also noted that Pakistan is set to be water-scarce by 2025, a crisis that demands urgent attention and action.

Despite the daunting challenges, Senator Rehman expressed hope, drawing inspiration from China’s approach to sustainable development and its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2060. She expressed hope that Karachi, one of the largest mega-cities in the world, could mirror Shanghai’s transformation, particularly in combating high pollution levels in waterways and air. She also unpacked the significance of China’s Green Silk Road initiative, particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which she described as a transformative project capable of lifting millions out of poverty and into a sustainable, interconnected future.

“China is building every growth and structural change and development initiative into a sustainability lens,” she observed. “Facing climate disruption, China is taking a great lead, but with great leadership and great power comes great responsibility, and that responsibility must be shared with all of us in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Senator Rehman concluded her speech by emphasizing the need for collective action and a positive attitude toward achieving sustainable outcomes. Quoting a Chinese proverb, she said, “When the winds of change blow, some build walls while others build windmills. I think this sums up the crisis in a nutshell. It is our collective attitude to positive outcomes that will change the game, not an added investment in binaries, in walls, in unilateralisms, or the kind of hegemonies that are upsetting global security today.”

In closing, Senator Rehman expressed her eagerness to continue working with China and the international community to build a greener, more sustainable future. “I look forward to working with all our Chinese friends and particularly this forum, to a future that is greener, sustainable, and unites the world,” she affirmed.

This address by Senator Sherry Rehman unpacked the critical importance of international cooperation in tackling the global climate crisis and highlights the role of China as a leader in this collective effort. The Senator’s call for unity, innovation, and shared responsibility resonates as a vital message for all nations striving to confront climate and environmental challenges of the 21st century.