Senator Sherry Rehman address at the launch of Recharge Pakistan Climate Initiative by WWF-Pakistan
Islamabad :- Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, delivered a keynote address at the launch of the Recharge Pakistan climate initiative by WWF-Pakistan. In her remarks, Senator Rehman highlighted the urgent need to confront the accelerated impacts of the climate crisis, particularly in Pakistan, which has been severely affected by environmental degradation. “The devastating floods of 2022 should have been a wake-up call for our country. For too long, Pakistan overlooked the mega-trends of climate change and environmental degradation, which profoundly impact the well-being of our citizens, our economy, and our natural ecosystems,” she stated.
Senator Rehman emphasized the importance of the Recharge Pakistan initiative in assisting communities, restoring wetlands, and addressing under-discussed and undervalued interventions in ecosystem preservation. “Recharge Pakistan is a groundbreaking approach to adaptation, offering a comprehensive response to the interconnected challenges of climate change, water scarcity, and ecosystem degradation,” she said. “It is critically important as a protector of land and water, and it plays a vital role in sustaining habitats, mitigating floods, and addressing drought.”
She stressed the significance of nature-based solutions to ecosystems which are under severe stress due to unchecked extraction and pollution. “The Indus River has been the lifeline of our civilization, yet it is now facing unprecedented threats. It has supported 300 million people across South Asia, is now under severe stress, with predictions indicating that 50% of Pakistan’s water resources could be in deficit by 2030. By leveraging nature-based interventions like Recharge Pakistan, we can begin to restore and recharge these vital systems, giving back what we have taken,” she noted.
“This project represents a model of climate leadership and water restoration leadership, showcasing how coordinated efforts across government ministries, international partners, and communities can lead to impactful and sustainable outcomes,” she added.
Senator Rehman thanked the project’s partners, including the U.S. Ambassador, USAID, GCF and the World Wildlife Fund, for their support championing of climate causes. “Activating this initiative signals that we are not just victims of climate change; we are taking active steps to address it. The Recharge Pakistan initiative is a testament to our commitment to building a resilient and sustainable future for all Pakistanis,” Senator Rehman concluded.