ISLAMABAD: Experts unanimously emphasised the need for hammering out a national climate change awareness plan to boost Pakistan’s response to climate risks. They stressed that there is also need to build up climate resilience through adaptation measures in various socio-economic sectors, particularly water, energy and food. At a first meeting of think-tank on climate change consultative group held on Monday in which the climate change scientists, policymakers, planners and academicians said that engaging media should be at the heart of the climate change awareness campaign. Former Pakistan Meteorological Department director general (DG) Dr Qamaruz Zaman Chaudhry said experts are calling for a strong global response to mitigate negative impacts of the climate change. He said, “Dealing with vagaries of climate change direly requires scientists, academicians, policymakers, technologists and political leaders to play effective part and none of us can afford laxity in this regard at any level.” Briefing on unprecedented importance of the global climate conference to save earth from more intensified and devastating effects of global warming, he said the world is keenly looking towards an ambitious, just and viable agreement to reduce global emissions to hold the increase in global temperature below two degree Celsius. He said the climate negotiations journey on the road to Paris appears tough, but if countries walk together, they will advance towards building a sustainable future for the planet adding that in this journey, parties must take into account the needs and demands of the poorest and the most vulnerable countries like Pakistan. Dr Chaudhry said the present government is making all-out efforts to deal with climate risks, though much of these efforts go unnoticed because of lack of awareness about the efforts. Five to seven percent of the national budget is being spent on climate change related initiatives including development of hydro power sector and investment in solar and wind energies, which are clean, cheap and environmental friendly energy sources, he added. Parliamentary Task Force on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Chairperson Mariam Aurangzeb said climate change has now become a top political and development issue at the global level, because the world has recognised that this is a serious challenge to all development gains made over the years in different socio-economic sectors, mainly water, agriculture, energy and health. She said due to this reason the rich and poor countries are now under duress to rise above their personal agendas or interests and joining hands together to cope with the common risk of global warming jointly and effectively. Ministry of Climate Change Chairperson Arif Ahmed Khan highlighted possibility of extinction of various plant and animal species because of extreme weather events in past, which again pose threat to the very existence of humans and all sorts of the life on the planet earth. This risk can be overcome with global community’s far-reaching response to the biggest unfolding risk of climate change in the present century, Khan highlighted. He said in the aftermath of devolution of Environment Ministry following 18th Amendment in the Constitution in 2011, the ministry lost its very holding and powers. “But these powers can be gained by dint of viable suggestions and proposals emerging from the think-tank on climate change,” he commented.