Floods in Pakistan: Biggest Global Polluters US, Europe, China and India Must Accept Responsibility

[Cheepek]

Pakistan should make Greta their brand ambassador, match made in heaven

 

[SaadH]

BS, and the PDM stalwarts in power since the mid 80's as well as their GHQ handlers in power since the early 50's didn't do jack crap to built dams and canals to control and floods which have been happening almost on annual basis for sometime get no blame....Get out of hea...

 

[Baba_Yaga]

Keep crying. I like you in a triggered state.

Now why would i be crying ? My country is nowhere near default, nor is it a political zoo/circus for the world to see like a reality tv show. You seem to be triggered over 1971 comment, its the one thing that works each and every single time, probably will continue to do so for next 100 years

 

[RiazHaq]

Pakistan burns only 10 billion MMcf of coal


10 Countries with the Highest Total Coal Consumption in the World (million cubic feet)

China — 4,320 billion MMcf
India — 966 billion MMcf
United States — 731 billion MMcf
Germany — 257 billion MMcf
Russia — 230 billion MMcf
Japan — 210 billion MMcf
South Africa — 202 billion MMcf
South Korea — 157 billion MMcf
Poland — 149 billion MMcf
Australia — 130 billion MMcf

Coal Consumption by Country 2024

worldpopulationreview.com

 

[RiazHaq]

Pakistan’s Biblical Floods and the Case for Climate Reparations​

Isn’t it time for rich nations to pay the communities that they have helped to drown?
By Mohammed Hanif
September 26, 2022

Pakistan’s Biblical Floods and the Case for Climate Reparations

Isn’t it time for rich nations to pay the communities that they have helped to drown?

www.newyorker.com

We have tried, in various ways, to convey to the world the scale of destruction caused by recent floods in Pakistan, because, apparently, a third of the country underwater and thirty-three million lives upended doesn’t cut it. Pakistan’s climate minister has called it Biblical. We have shot and shared videos in which the landmark New Honeymoon Hotel crumbles in the duration of a TikTok. The U.N. Secretary-General, António Guterres, who is seventy-three and has called the climate crisis a “code red for humanity,” visited Pakistan and said that he hadn’t seen this scale of climate carnage in his life. Some of us have created maps showing that the areas underwater are larger than Britain. We have shown pictures of dead and starving cattle to appeal to animal-lovers. We have posted videos of puppies being heroically rescued from rushing waters.

Maybe when the world seems to be ending, it needs poets. A poet in Khairpur, in southern Pakistan, one of the worst-affected areas, was asked by a journalist if he had received a tent to shelter his family. He found the idea so improbable that he asked, “Why are you making fun of me? Why would anyone give me a tent?” Pakistanis are saying that charity tents and emergency supplies are welcome, but what we need and want is compensation for climate-related loss and damage. Although much of the world seems to agree in principle, there is a we-have-all-heard-this-before weariness in the air. Our innovative communications have little impact. The U.S. has offered fifty million dollars and “long-term” support, the U.N. has appealed for a hundred and sixty million, France has offered to hold a donors’ conference, Angelina Jolie has flown in and said that she’s never seen such devastation. President Biden casually mentioned at the U.N. General Assembly that Pakistan “needs help,” without any specifics. This all sounds like a lot until you remember that Pakistan’s losses are estimated to be around thirty billion dollars.

Experts have pointed out that this is not the kind of flood that causes weeks of havoc and then leaves behind fertile lands. Six months from now, flooded fields still may not be ready for cultivation. Most people affected by the floods live off the land, from crop to crop. Waterborne diseases and food shortages are already rampant. Climate scientists who have studied Pakistani floods have concluded that they can only predict more unpredictability.

Scientists are clear, however, that the catastrophe in Pakistan is linked to global warming. Pakistan generates less than one per cent of the world’s carbon emissions. We are quite good at blaming ourselves and our governments for our misfortunes, but global warming is overwhelmingly caused by rich folks living thousands of miles away, mostly in the West, by people who know that their air-conditioned homes and midsize cars and Caribbean holidays have snatched away the home and livelihood of someone in a village in Pakistan.

The West sees its culpability in this man-made disaster but prefers to blame the victim. I think of a fable that I grew up with, in which a lamb drinks from a river downstream until a lion accuses it of polluting the river upstream. In the version of the fable that I remember, the lion eats the lamb as punishment. Imagine this: the driver of an S.U.V. speeds into a country lane, hits a person on a bicycle, and then, instead of paying damages, asks the cyclist to drive an electric vehicle powered by renewable energy. The driver of the S.U.V. wonders why the cyclist wasn’t more resilient, and asks, “Why didn’t you plan for a future where my car might come and destroy your bicycle and break your leg? You could have prepared for a better future, for apocalyptic floods, but what did you do? You prepared a petition for reparations? And you don’t even have a practical plan for how these reparations would work?”

Those calling for climate reparations received an answer from America’s climate envoy, John Kerry, at the U.N. General Assembly last week. “You tell me the government in the world that has trillions of dollars, ’cause that’s what it costs,” he said, perhaps steeling himself for difficult questions at November’s global climate conference, cop27, in Egypt. Western governments do have trillions of dollars, and they have had more than a decade to think through how climate reparations should work. Kerry sounded like he was haggling over the price of life jackets with drowning people.

Maybe Pakistan could have handled the current floods better if we had done our homework. We had a massive flood in 2010, experts were flown in, reports and studies were commissioned and then shelved. But Pakistan, like its Western allies, had other priorities: we were busy in neighboring Afghanistan, helping America defeat the Taliban, or maybe helping the Taliban defeat America—we are still not sure. On the other border, we were busy with India. Even in the week of our Biblical floods, we managed to finalize a deal with the United States worth four hundred and fifty million dollars, to upgrade our F-16 fighter planes. We may not know how we are going to feed our people for the next six months, but we have made sure that we can keep them safe from hostile aircraft.

Like Westerners, Pakistani élites planned for security and progress. We turned agricultural lands into golf courses and gated communities, and built houses on riverbeds, and grew cash crops along waterways. We thought less about the millions who live in mud houses, who till someone else’s land to feed their kids and save a bit in hopes of sending them to school one day. Now the water has turned their houses back into mud, and washed away the grain that they stocked for the entire year, and flooded the land that still belongs to someone else. They dare not dream of justice, let alone climate justice.



Experts tell us that the world suffers from donor fatigue, what with a war in Ukraine, in which people with fair skin and blue eyes are fleeing their homes and fighting for their lives. What goes unsaid is that hearts have been hardened by repeated images of brown mothers cradling skeletal children who are covered in flies, along overflowing rivers or scorched fields. Or maybe rich nations think that they should save their money for when the disasters come for them.

Sometimes my own compatriots tell the world, If you don’t listen, it could happen to you. The West seems unfazed by this logic: climate carnage has happened there, is happening there. Perhaps the West fears that if it acknowledges any debt to a country like Pakistan, it will no longer be able to withhold what it owes its own citizens. A childhood friend lived in Lake Charles, Louisiana, for most of his life, and in the span of a year his house and business were destroyed thrice, first by Hurricane Laura, then snow, then flooding. He reluctantly put his house up for sale, moved to Los Angeles, and slowly started to build a life. The aid that the government promised to Lake Charles hasn’t arrived. After Hurricane Maria, hundreds of thousands of Americans in Puerto Rico were denied federal assistance. They were still vulnerable when Hurricane Fiona brought floods and blackouts again, this week. The lamb does not escape the lion by showing a U.S. passport.

A global climate movement has made people aware of their carbon footprint, of the impact of their eating habits, of the evils of fossil-fuel companies, but it has yet to convince people that they and their governments can and should pay for what they helped to destroy. They must, because the losses and damages will only grow, and because the West became rich from the burning of fossil fuels, and because the village that is drowning may one day be their own.

When rich nations refuse to acknowledge that countries such as Pakistan need climate reparations, they not only shirk their responsibility now but set a precedent of inaction and impunity, even within their own borders. They seem to say, We can build walls so high that the polluted air will only poison you. When it melts glaciers, only you will drown, and when your fields are flooded, only you will go hungry. We can give you a few thousand tents to shelter your millions, or rafts to float you over what used to be self-sustaining villages, but we don’t owe you anything. If it happens to us, rich countries seem to say, we won’t starve. We can always eat you. ♦

 

[nahtanbob]

Pakistan burns only 10 billion MMcf of coal


10 Countries with the Highest Total Coal Consumption in the World (million cubic feet)

China — 4,320 billion MMcf
India — 966 billion MMcf
United States — 731 billion MMcf
Germany — 257 billion MMcf
Russia — 230 billion MMcf
Japan — 210 billion MMcf
South Africa — 202 billion MMcf
South Korea — 157 billion MMcf
Poland — 149 billion MMcf
Australia — 130 billion MMcf

Coal Consumption by Country 2024

worldpopulationreview.com

Is coal the only source of CO2 emission ? What about petroleum and natural gas ?

 

[RiazHaq]

Is coal the only source of CO2 emission ? What about petroleum and natural gas ?

Pounds of CO2 emitted per million British thermal units (Btu) of energy for various fuels:

Coal (anthracite)	228.6
Coal (bituminous)	205.7
Coal (lignite)	215.4
Coal (subbituminous)	214.3
Diesel fuel and heating oil	161.3
Gasoline (without ethanol)	157.2
Propane	139.0
Natural gas	117.0

How much carbon dioxide is produced when different fuels are burned?

Energy Information Administration FAQs: "Different fuels emit different amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) in relation to the energy they produce when burned. To analyze emissions across fuels, compare the amount of CO2 emitted per unit of energy output or heat content.

www.americangeosciences.org

 

[khansaheeb]

PM Shehbaz has also made a similar diplomatic appeal without pointing fingers. UN has subsequently issued a memo asking creditors to Pakistan differ loan payments. The international community will sure help Pakistan through this crisis

They should write off debt and not defer it to provide meaningful help.

 

[nahtanbob]

Pounds of CO2 emitted per million British thermal units (Btu) of energy for various fuels:

Coal (anthracite)	228.6
Coal (bituminous)	205.7
Coal (lignite)	215.4
Coal (subbituminous)	214.3
Diesel fuel and heating oil	161.3
Gasoline (without ethanol)	157.2
Propane	139.0
Natural gas	117.0

How much carbon dioxide is produced when different fuels are burned?

Energy Information Administration FAQs: "Different fuels emit different amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) in relation to the energy they produce when burned. To analyze emissions across fuels, compare the amount of CO2 emitted per unit of energy output or heat content.

www.americangeosciences.org

We burn a lot of gasoline and natural gas.

Natural gas production change by country | Statista

While the U.S. and many other major gas producers increased their output in 2022, Russia's production fell as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war.

www.statista.com

Global oil production 2023 | Statista

Global oil production amounted to 96.4 million barrels per day in 2023.

www.statista.com

United States	846,600	2019
European Union	469,600	2019
Russia	444,300	2019
China	307,300	2019
Iran	223,600	2019
ASEAN	165,900	2019
Canada	120,300	2019
Saudi Arabia	113,600	2019
Japan	108,100	2019
Mexico	90,700	2019
Germany	88,700	2019
United Kingdom	78,800	2019

 

[SoulSpokesman]

@RiazHaq

Brofessor sb,

Please go through the data carefully. India's contribution to global CO2 pollution is only 10 times or so Pak's while it has 6-7 times its population. In per capita terms it is hardly that much worse than Pakistan as an emitter. India's total emissions per capita is a fraction of the world's.

Besides, India too is a victim of climate change. Almost every other year, large parts of India especially North, East and NE get flooded plus there are cyclones every year. Just because it is a much larger nation, it doesnt get adequate coverage because other parts of the country can make up for the damage.

In short, India should receive and not make reparations. Besides, how do you think India which is very poor itself- famously it has more hungry and poor people than Lanka or Pak, ever meet those reparation demands. Those demands should be made only of rich countries including your taller than mountain friend.

Regards

@Joe Shearer @VCheng @Wood @Jango

 

[VCheng]

In short, India should receive and not make reparations. Besides, how do you think India which is very poor itself- famously it has more hungry and poor people than Lanka or Pak, ever meet those reparation demands. Those demands should be made only of rich countries including your taller than mountain friend.

Any excuse is a good excuse to ask for more money. Climate Change is quite fashionable these days, I hear.

 

[SoulSpokesman]

@VCheng sb

Any excuse is a good excuse to ask for more money.

I have no problem with Brofessor sb (@RiazHaq) asking for more money. But he should ask it from only rich countries, it is shameful to be asking a country which has generally been poorer than Pak for most of its recent past.

Regards

 

[VCheng]

@VCheng sb

Any excuse is a good excuse to ask for more money.

I have no problem with Brofessor sb (@RiazHaq) asking for more money. But he should ask it from only rich countries, it is shameful to be asking a country which has generally been poorer than Pak for most of its recent past.

Regards

Since when did beggars have any shame?

 

[Ajamal]

Floods in Pakistan: Biggest Global Polluters US, Europe, China and India Must Accept Responsibility

Pakistan, a country that has contributed only 0.28% of the CO2 emissions, is among the biggest victims of climate change. The US, Europe, In...

www.southasiainvestor.com

Pakistan, a country that has contributed only 0.28% of the CO2 emissions, is among the biggest victims of climate change. The US, Europe, India, China and Japan, the world's biggest polluters, must accept responsibility for the catastrophic floods in Pakistan and climate disasters elsewhere. A direct link of the disaster in Pakistan to climate change has been confirmed by a team of 26 scientists affiliated with World Weather Attribution, a research initiative that specializes in rapid studies of extreme events, according to the New York Times.

​

Top 5 Current Polluters. Source: Our World in Data

Currently, the biggest annual CO2 emitters are China, the US, India and Russia. Pakistan's annual CO2 emissions add up to just 235 million tons. On the other hand, China contributes 11.7 million tons, the United States 4.5 billion tons, India 2.4 billion tons, Russia 1.6 billion tons and Japan 1.06 billion tons.

​

Pakistan's Annual CO2 Emission. Source: Our World in Data

The United States has contributed 399 billion tons (25%) of CO2 emissions, the highest cumulative carbon emissions since the start of the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century. The 28 countries of the European Union (EU28), including the United Kingdom, come in second with 353 billion tons of CO2 (22%), followed by China with 200 billion tons (12.7%).

​

Cumulative CO2 Emissions. Source: Our World in Data

Pakistan's cumulative CO2 contribution in its entire history is just 4.4 billion tons (0.28%). Among Pakistan's neighbors, China's cumulative contribution is 200 billion tons (12.7%), India's 48 billion tons (3%) and Iran's 17 billion tons (1%).

​

Developing Asian Nations' CO2 Emissions. Source: Our World in Data

Pakistan has contributed little to climate change but it has become one of its biggest victims. In the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change, signatories agreed to recognize and “address” the loss and damage caused by those dangerous climate impacts, according to the Washington Post. Last year, at the major U.N. climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, negotiators from developing countries tried to establish a formal fund to help the countries like Pakistan most affected by climate disasters. It was blocked by rich countries led by the Biden administration.

Related Links:

Haq's Musings

South Asia Investor Review

Catastrophic Floods in Pakistan

Pakistan Water Crisis: Facts and Myths

Pakistan Ramps Up Low-Carbon Sources of Electricity

Cycles of Drought and Floods in Pakistan

Pakistan at 75: Economic and Demographic Progress

Dust Bowl in Thar Desert Region

Dasht River in Balochistan

Bridge Collapse After Sudden Glacier Melt in Pakistan

Riaz Haq's Youtube Channel

PakAlumni Social Network

Floods in Pakistan: Biggest Global Polluters US, Europe, China and India Must Accept Responsibility

Pakistan, a country that has contributed only 0.28% of the CO2 emissions, is among the biggest victims of climate change. The US, Europe, In...

www.southasiainvestor.com

India is nowhere in the list of country with per capita carbon emission. Here is the list of first 20 country. India has lowest Carbon Emission.

1	China	10,432,751,400	-0.28%	1,414,049,351	7.38	29.18%
2	United States	5,011,686,600	-2.01%	323,015,995	15.52	14.02%
3	India	2,533,638,100	4.71%	1,324,517,249	1.91	7.09%
4	Russia	1,661,899,300	-2.13%	145,275,383	11.44	4.65%
5	Japan	1,239,592,060	-1.21%	127,763,265	9.70	3.47%
6	Germany	775,752,190	1.28%	82,193,768	9.44	2.17%
7	Canada	675,918,610	-1.00%	36,382,944	18.58	1.89%
8	Iran	642,560,030	2.22%	79,563,989	8.08	1.80%
9	South Korea	604,043,830	0.45%	50,983,457	11.85	1.69%
10	Indonesia	530,035,650	6.41%	261,556,381	2.03	1.48%
11	Saudi Arabia	517,079,407	0.92%	32,443,447	15.94	1.45%
12	Brazil	462,994,920	-6.08%	206,163,053	2.25	1.29%
13	Mexico	441,412,750	-2.13%	123,333,376	3.58	1.23%
14	Australia	414,988,700	-0.98%	24,262,712	17.10	1.16%
15	South Africa	390,557,850	-0.49%	56,207,646	6.95	1.09%
16	Turkey	368,122,740	5.25%	79,827,871	4.61	1.03%
17	United Kingdom	367,860,350	-6.38%	66,297,944	5.55	1.03%
18	Italy	358,139,550	0.84%	60,663,060	5.90	1.00%
19	France	331,533,320	2.11%	64,667,596	5.13	0.93%
20	Poland	296,659,670	2.67%	37,989,220	7.81	0.83%

CO2 Emissions by Country - Worldometer

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions by Country in the world with Global share of CO2 greenhouse emissions by country

www.worldometers.info

 

[Cheepek]

@RiazHaq

Brofessor sb,

Please go through the data carefully. India's contribution to global CO2 pollution is only 10 times or so Pak's while it has 6-7 times its population. In per capita terms it is hardly that much worse than Pakistan as an emitter. India's total emissions per capita is a fraction of the world's.

Besides, India too is a victim of climate change. Almost every other year, large parts of India especially North, East and NE get flooded plus there are cyclones every year. Just because it is a much larger nation, it doesnt get adequate coverage because other parts of the country can make up for the damage.

In short, India should receive and not make reparations. Besides, how do you think India which is very poor itself- famously it has more hungry and poor people than Lanka or Pak, ever meet those reparation demands. Those demands should be made only of rich countries including your taller than mountain friend.

Regards

@Joe Shearer @VCheng @Wood @Jango

Not to forget India has ~25% of it's land under forests compared to just ~5% in Pakistan.