STAFF REPORT KHI: Pakistan is among the 12 countries that is hard hit by the climate change problem and unfortunately due to unprecedented climatic change and human activities are habitats are being lost or are being degraded.
These views were expressed by University of Karachi Vice Chancellor Dr M. Qaiser while addressing an inaugural session of the conference on Climate Change and Phytodiversity: Challenges and Opportunities. The event was organised by the Pakistan Botanical Society and University of Karachi at KU.
He said that unfortunately due to unprecedented climatic change and human activities, habitats are being lost or are being degraded in Pakistan.
The VC said that the Pakistan Botanical Society is one of the oldest and the leading scientific societies of the country and soon it would get a worldwide recognition by the scientific fraternity.
National and International Scientists were present on the occasion including KU former VC and senior most Botanist Dr Syed Irtifaq Ali and Dr Anjum Perveen, Pakistan Science Foundation Chairman Dr Muhammad Ashraf, Pakistan Council of Science and Technology Chairman Dr Anwar ul Hassan Gilani, UNESCO Ecological Science Advisor Dr Benno Boer.
The VC said, “A changing climate means changing of habitat, threatening vulnerable species consequently leading to extinction. Balanced and healthy ecosystems and rich biodiversity are fundamental to life on earth and because of climate change the humans and biodiversity face new challenges for survival.”
Dr Qaiser said, “This year we have chosen a very pertinent topic of climate change and Phytodiversity and as we all know that climate is changing due to unlimited fossil fuel burning and the release of green house emissions that result in global warming.