President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed the need for joining hands in meeting the challenges arising out of the asymmetrical climatic variations and arrests the steep environmental degradation.
In his message on the occasion of World Earth Day (April 22), the President said that observing this day every year is a reminder of our responsibility to undertake concerted efforts to preserve the face of the earth from further degradation caused by the ruthless manipulation of the ecosystem and assaults on the balancing forces of nature.
The President said that each year, more than one billion people from all communities participate in the Earth Day related activities to voice their concerns for the planet and renew their commitment to protect the planet from degradation caused by multiple pollutants.
He said that Pakistanis also would be joining today the international community in what is largest environmental event in the world.
"Mother Earth, indeed, has paid a very high price in our relentless pursuit of greater prosperity and socio-economic development.
Indeed we have taken far more from this earth than we have returned to it," the President said.
He further said that this has contributed to the phenomenon of climatic change and global warning that has begun to take its toll in the form of recurring droughts, massive food shortages, potential starvation, floods and other natural calamities.
He said the theme of the Day for this year, "The Face of Climate Change," highlights the adverse impacts of climate change focusing attention on the need to preserve ecological balance. The Government of Pakistan in response to global ecological challenges has been consistently responding to and collaborating with the international community to protect the planet from any further degradation, the President said.
He said the Government of Pakistan will positively contribute in maintaining ecological balance; hence making this world a safe and pollution free place to live.
He said the Federal Ministry of Climate Change is mandated to devise policies and plans, among others, for disaster management, environmental protection, protection of forests and wildlife, to address the rising challenge of environmental degradation. President Zardari said that a few weeks ago the Government of Pakistan launched a National Policy on Climate Change as a major step forward towards the implementation of relevant Rio+20 outcomes, including realising an inclusive Green Economy and sustainable development in Pakistan.
The President expressed the confidence that with the political commitment supported by institutional mechanism, the activities today will enhance awareness about environmental degradation and sensitise everyone to take practical steps for achieving ecological balance.