COP28: As Seen From Gilgit-Baltistan
An Interview With Riaz Ahmed
The Borrowed Earth Project spoke to young climate activist Riaz Ahmed about his climate work in northern Pakistan, and what he would most like to see come out of the climate discussions at COP28.
William Wilson: Can you tell us a bit about your own background, where you live and work and what you are studying?
Riaz Ahmed: I am Riaz Ahmed, I come from Gilgit-Baltistan in northern Pakistan. I am studying for a Bachelor’s Degree in Disaster Management at Karakoram University, in Gilgit. I am also working for Fridays for the Future in Gligit-Baltistan, and on other climate initiatives in this area.
How did you come to have such a strong interest in climate change and climate education? Is it influenced by the region that you live in and the climate issues most relevant to Gilgit-Baltistan?
Very much so. Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the most vulnerable areas to the effects of climate change in the whole of Pakistan, (which is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world). I know about climate and climate change not just from my course in Disaster Management, but from my own direct experience and living in this mountainous area with its melting glaciers and high risk of flooding. I have seen glaciers melting. I am from this region, from a frontline community. This interest has only been strengthened by my studies.
Why climate education? Why does that matter so much, and what really needs to be done to make it a reality?
I believe that climate education can help the crisis we are facing, and can help us to tackle it. At the moment, climate change is only addressed in single subjects. Instead it needs to be understood and taught across the whole curriculum.
For example, Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the most affected areas. The people most affected should be able to understand what is facing them. If youth is better aware of climate change impacts through climate education, they will be better able to help their communities, with better awareness of floods, flood risks, land use, the land cover system, the risks of construction in river channels. Youth can really help teach their communities.
What ways have you found to work on your key interests of climate change and climate education?
I am undertaking my own course and work to learn about Disaster Management. I am also working with Fridays for the Future, Gilgit-Baltistan. Recently I also participated in the MOCK Education Ministers Summit run by MOCK COP. From that I learned more about the international consensus about demands for climate education worldwide. I am also engaging with other climate organisations and NGOs, with the UNDP, and the UN youth climate organisation YOUNGO.
What would you most like to see come out of the COY18 youth talks and the COP28 climate talks? What are the most important outcomes for you?
I would like to see -
· progress on Loss and Damage and the operation of the fund that has been set up to address it;
· appropriate climate finance for vulnerable countries;
· climate education to promote resilience in vulnerable countries; and
· an Energy Transition leading to decarbonisation.