One of the courses I teach at Griffith Uni is 1205MED Health Challenges for the 21st century. It is a compulsory first-year undergrad course for all Health Sciences degrees. I really enjoy teaching it. The first major assessment is a research essay topic exploring the link between malaria (health) and climate change (environment). Climate change is a global issue that has serious repercussions that go far beyond health. I was delighted to see cyclists the world around rallying to raise awareness about climate change. This particular protest caught my attention because Pakistani cyclists are not often featured in international news – so it was great to see them out in force and mobilizing against climate change. NG.
Climate Diplomacy Day
Climate Diplomacy Day (CDD) is an annual date that is used to highlight climate change issues and action. Every year, countries host conferences, community events, debates, exhibitions, films and social media activities to encourage informed discussion and work towards more decisive joint responses to the climate challenge.
Collectively, these events hope to build on work strated by the December 2015 Paris Agreement, which was the first-ever universal, legally binding global climate.
This year, Islamabad set the bar high for Climate Diplomacy Day.
Pakistan is not the first country that usually comes to mind when we think of climate change action.
Even so, considering that Pakistan is predicted to be one of the most vulnerable nations to be impacted by climate change (despite the country’s low level of its global carbon emissions), it is understandable that CDD would make the news.
Islamabad rides against climate change
Islamabad celebrated CDD with three key events; a massive public bike protest, a documentary screening and an art competition.
This aim of this years’ event program was to encourage communities to take back the decision making control about climate policy out of bureaucracy hands and back give it back to the community.
The bike protest had a massive turn out. The protest saw riders taking over the streets of Islamabad as a way to highlight rampant greenhouse emissions by promoting bikes as a more eco-friendlier mode of transportation.
The ride was held in conjunction with the EU and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Pakistan.
The ride was followed by a public screening of a documentary called Thank You For The Rain, which follows the damage climate change has had on a Kenyan farmer, his family and his village.
There was also a local exhibition called the Climate Diplomacy Art Competition, which showcased local students’ climate change inspirited art. The theme for the art competition was Challenges of Climate Change – Pakistan’s Youth on the Front Line
Events like Islamabad’s CDD are very important in helping raise awareness for climate action.
It is also a sobering reminder that no matter where you are – in Pakistan, Australia or anywhere else in the world – we are all united by this common issue.
I find it reassuring there are so many people who are equally passionate about the environment, cycling and who want more positive environmental and community change.
Ride on brothers and sisters!