Conflict Amid Climate Crisis
Friday, March 15, 24 at 1218 Grand Saconnex, Geneva by IASPD
Background:
On March 15, 2024, IASPD, in collaboration with KIIR, WMC, IMWU and YCP, organized a webinar-cum-seminar to shed light on the critical intersection between conflict and the climate crisis in Kashmir.
Esteemed panelists from various fields joined the discussion to emphasize the urgent need for action in tackling these intertwined challenges.
Highlights:
- Diverse Panel: The webinar featured distinguished panelists including Robert Faitina, a journalist from Canada; Sheni Hamid, a Rights Activist from the UK; Catherine Constantinides, an Environmentalist from South Africa; Ahmed Qureshi; Dr. Shagufta Ashraf; Dr. Waqas Ali Kausar and Sardar Amjad Yousaf Khan. Syed Faiz moderated the discussion, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of the topic.
- Critical Nexus Between Conflict and Climate Crisis: Speakers highlighted the detrimental impact of ongoing militarization and environmental degradation in Kashmir, stressing the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address these challenges. They underscored how marginalized communities are disproportionately affected, with habitat loss, deforestation and pollution threatening delicate ecosystems.
- Climate Change as a Global Issue: The panelists emphasized that climate change exacerbates vulnerabilities in conflict-hit regions, such as Kashmir, where political conflicts and heavy militarization compound existing challenges. They highlighted how rising temperatures, melting glaciers and water scarcity are adversely affecting livelihoods and ecosystems in the region.
Speakers:
Robert Fantina, Journalist from Canada: Fantina emphasized the urgent need for action in addressing the critical nexus between conflict and the climate crisis in Kashmir. He highlighted how ongoing militarization exacerbates environmental degradation, threatening delicate ecosystems and disproportionately impacting marginalized communities.
Sheni Hamid, Rights Activist from the UK: Hamid underscored the severe threat posed by climate change to people living in conflict-hit regions like Kashmir, where political conflicts, violence and heavy militarization compound vulnerabilities. She emphasized the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address both conflict resolution and environmental conservation.
Catherine Constantinides, Environmentalist from South Africa: Constantinides discussed the specific challenges faced by Kashmir due to climate change, including water scarcity, agricultural disruption and loss of biodiversity. She stressed the importance of recognizing Kashmir as one of the world’s most climate-change-prone regions and the need for concerted action to mitigate its impact.
Ahmed Qureshi: Qureshi reiterated the detrimental effects of climate change on the lives of Kashmiri people, emphasizing the severe water shortage and agricultural disruption caused by rising temperatures. He called for collaborative efforts to address these challenges and minimize the impact of climate change on Kashmir’s environment and communities.
Dr. Shagufta Ashraf: Dr. Ashraf highlighted how the conflict in Kashmir exacerbates environmental degradation, with military activity contributing to rising temperatures and disrupting the natural ecosystem. She emphasized the urgent need for a broader regional approach and early warning systems to address the climate crisis in Kashmir effectively.
Dr. Waqas Ali Kausar: Dr. Kausar discussed how the conflict itself acts as a driver of climate change in Kashmir, exacerbating its environmental challenges. He stressed the importance of resolving conflicts and addressing political issues to build trust among communities and foster collaborative efforts to address the climate crisis.
Sardar Amjad Yousaf Khan: Khan reiterated the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address the climate crisis in Kashmir, emphasizing the destabilizing impact of military activity on the local ecology. He stressed the importance of broader regional initiatives and data-sharing mechanisms to minimize losses during natural calamities and promote environmental sustainability.
Conclusion The webinar provided valuable insights into the complex challenges faced by Kashmir due to the intersection of conflict and climate crisis. The speakers called for concerted efforts, collaboration and proactive measures to mitigate environmental degradation and promote sustainable development in the region
