Climate change affecting our present, future generations, says PM Nawaz Sharif

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The federal government has released Rs. 553 million for the Green Pakistan Fund, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office to mark the International Day of Forests.

The International Day of Forests is celebrated throughout the world in order to tackle climate change. Pakistan is among the countries where unchecked cutting of trees is at the highest.

The PM stated he wants to see Pakistan as one of the ‘leading environmentally responsible nations in the world’ through increased tree cover and Green Sector policy reforms. The government, he further said, realises the importance of planting trees as a key instrument of climate change mitigation.

‘Climate change is not only affecting our present but it will adversely affect our generations to come. Therefore, if we do not act today, we risk the future of our coming generations,’ the PM said.

‘I would like to reiterate my personal commitment and urge the nation to work for a Green Pakistan which values its trees, wildlife and bio-diversity as most precious endowments of the mother nature,’ the statement concluded.

Despite the global surge in deforestation in recent decades, forests still cover nearly 4 billion hectares, making up about 30 percent of the Earth’s land area. According to the United Nations, an estimated 1.6 billion people – 25 percent of the global population – depend on forests for subsistence, livelihood, employment and income generation.

In January 2017, countries reached agreement on a plan that would significantly improve the outlook for the world’s forests. A target has also been set to expand the world’s forests by 120 million hectares by 2030, according to the United Nations.