Najam Speaks on Developing Countries and Climate Change
Adil Najam, Dean of the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, spoke in Karachi at the Pakistan Institute for International Affairs (PIIA) on May 4, 2019 and in Islamabad at the Institute for Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on May 8, 2019 on how the global politics of climate change is changing and the implications of these changes for developing countries.
In his talks, Najam highlighted that we are now in the Age of Adaptation where climate can no longer be talked about in the future tense and for millions of people it is already a lived reality. He argued that the realization that industrialized countries are not likely to meet their climate obligations presents a very different and more grave set of strategic challenges to developing countries.
“Because the world has been unwilling and unable to respond to the great threat of global climate change in time with appropriate measures of mitigation, we are now condemned to live in what I call the ‘Age of Adaptation’,” Najam said speaking at PIIA in Karachi. “Adaptation after all, is essential. Ignoring the impacts of climate change is no longer a luxury that any country can afford, least of all, Pakistan.”
“Climate change is not going to happen it is ALREADY happening”-Dr. Adil Najam, Dean Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston University, at the #PIIA on Pakistan in the Age of Adaptation during the Conference on Climate Change in Karachi. @pakistanhorizon @AdilNajam pic.twitter.com/QUuVikVETm
— The Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (@PIIA1948) May 4, 2019
Speaking at ISSI in Islamabad, Najam said that we have passed the age of mitigation and have landed in the age of adaptation. Countries which are emitting the most of carbon waste are those which are least affected by the effects of climate change, according to Najam – almost 80 per cent of the wealth of the world lies with the 20 per cent of the world’s population. He highlighted that Pakistan is in its 10th consecutive year of flood and 4th consecutive year of drought.
“Water is to adaption what carbon is to mitigation,” Najam said speaking at ISSI in Islamabad. “The frontline issues are mostly about water and for a country like Pakistan, which depends solely on water, climate is not a future issue but a current issue.”
Look forward to speaking at @ISSIslamabad tomorrow on what #ClimateChange might mean for #Pakistan. And what Pakistan’s policy response should be in the #AgeOAdaptation. pic.twitter.com/c18O8MuGMT
— Adil Najam عادل نجم (@AdilNajam) May 7, 2019
Adil Najam is the inaugural Dean of the Pardee School and a commentator on foreign policy and diplomacy. Learn more about him here.