UAF takes out a rally to mark World Environment Day

During the last 30 year, although the global GDP has doubled, but 60% of world’s ecosystem is degraded or exploited because of deforestation, increasing pollution, emission of smoke from industries and climate changes. The secret to cope with the situation lies in social mobilization and promotion of green technology across the world. This was stated by speaker while addressing a seminar held to mark World Environment Day on Tuesday arranged by Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad at New Senate Hall. Faculty of Agriculture Dean Prof Dr Muhammad Ashafaq was the chief guest while First Biotechnology Chief Executive Officer Farrukh Hassan was the guest of honour. The theme of the World Environment Day this year is Green Economy observed on June 5 (yesterday) all over the world. The speakers addressing the audience said euro 50 bn worth of biodiversity is being lost each year because of changing ecosystem, indicting terrible coming years if tangible steps were not taken. Besides, it is the matter of grave concern that Green House Gas (GHG) emissions is standing at 42 Gt per annum which was five times more than the threshold. They stressed the need to adopt the green economy by reducing carbon dependency and ecosystem degradation. Talking about the situation of 2030, they said that global energy demand will up by 45 percent whereas oil price can touch USD 180 per barrel (IEA). They said shifting 25% of all air travel in 2050 the under 750 km to high speed rail travel would result in savings of around 0.5 GT of CO2/year whereas shifting 25% of all road freight over 500 km to rail, .4 Gt of C02 per year could be saved. Talking about the deforestation in Pakistan, they said that the forest net in Pakistan is standing at only 2.5 per cent compared to international standards of 25 per cent. It is must to end the deforestation and boost up the forest net to get rid of climates changes. They also told the audience that as many as 1.2 billion people all over the globe do not have an access to potable water. Whereas six million children annually are losing their lives because of water, soil and air pollution, causing various diseases. They called for increase in green investment. increase in quantity & quality of jobs in green sectors and increase in share of green sectors in GDP Dr Muhammad Arshad, Director, Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences and Dr Zahir Ahmad Zahir also spoke. At the end of the seminar, prize distribution ceremony was held of a Speech Competition held in connection with World Environment Day. Sehrish Tariq won the first prize in English speech while Saira Khalid and Fatima Akmal secured second and third positions respectively. In Urdu competition, Ahmad Saad got the first position while Zafar Iqbal and Saba Shakil secured second and third positions respectively.