The Climate Is Changing, Are You?

Our quality of life may have improved over the past decades, but isn’t the price too high!

When it comes to the topic of climate change, many people find the issue too big for their individual efforts to make a difference to it. Although climate change is everyone’s concern, yet it is a widespread belief that small steps hold little worth in the bigger picture, many people passing it off as a matter of national or global concern, beyond their power of influence. Infact in many countries, the debate is

 not about countering climate change but to limit its effects as it is deemed inevitable that this is a road that has no turning back.

However, we first need to present this matter in such a way so that it is relatable for everyone, each one of us realizing how it is affecting the lives of each one of us and what our role in countering this challenge should be.

What exactly is climate change? Carbon doxide and methane, known as the green house gases alongwith watervapors, warm up the temperature of the planet by trapping heat in the atmosphere. The green house effect is a good thing, as it keeps the earth warm enough for life to survive on the planet but after a point, this effect in itself is becoming a threat to life on earth as the heat levels are rising to undesirable levels. Not only that, there is extremity in the weather, with intense heat or cold waves, dust storms, heavy downpours, absolute droughts alongwith unpredictability in weather.

This brings us the question as to why this is happening. How have the greenhouse gases become evil over the decades. The industrial reveolutin while bearing so many fruits of comfort to mankind, has had its hazardous effects too, the results of which have become more visible over the past decade or so, the connection between rising earth temperatures and industrialization making sense with more clarity now. Today, the earths average temperature is rising faster than ever before. Besides industrialization, the daily activites of a common man also contribute to the rising temperatures. From heating to cooling the house, transport, electricity, wastage of resources, use of non-earth friendly materials, all contribute in some way to accelerating this problem.

How is this climate change affecting the world of today? An estimated 25-30% animal and plant species are facing the risk of extinction, while the worlds coral reefs are under great threat too. The sea levels are rising while the ice melting is on the high. The picture does not look pretty!

Human beings too, are not exempted from bearing the consequences of climate change. While 70% of the earth is water, yet the dichotomy is that people die of thirst everyday. The absence of clean drinking water is a growing concern in many developing countries. Unaccountable use of pesticides and fertilizers and drainage of harmful chemicals in the water bodies not only affects the climate by releasing harmful gases in the atmosphere but brings forward health hazards in the form of flu, typhoid, fever, that have far reaching impacts. The unpredictability and irregularity of rainfalls either lead to floods or famine, not to mention the damage it causes to crops. The financial burden that these illnesses, crop damages and destruction caused by floods bring on the shoulders of the farmers make life even more difficult while the supply of harvest is also affected.

20 years ago, who could possibly believe that water would be packaged and sold in bottles, yet today, access to clean drinking water is a mere dream. Underground water levels have fallen down unprecedented levels and what was once a free, readily available essential need of everyone, is now no longer safe unless sold in shops! While this may not hit us hard for now, the time is not far, when if we do not change our attitudes, habits, policies and approach, clean water will become a commodity rare to find!

The changes in climate are more visible today than ever. People can clearly point out how the summers have become longer, drier and harsher, and winters, extreme and short. One of the biggest indicator of the hazardous impacts of climate change is the health problems that are occurring due to this in the form of respiratory issues, heatstroke, flus, fevers, malaria, typhoid, stomach infections and viral infections that last throughout the year.

So what is being done to address and counter these grave realities? While a worldwide debate and movement is ongoing to demand and implement concrete measures to control, reverse and undo the affects of climate change, more awareness and action needs to be seen on the individual level for which improvement in information dissemination and attitude change is required. Many people believe that climate change is a problem so big that their small efforts would amount to nil. Hence, most are reluctant to make any changes in their lifestyle such as use of resources, means of livelihood, adapting to the changing demands of the times in an environment friendly way that may not be the most lucrative option in the present but may be the best for the future of this planet.

The first and foremost need is to make everyone realize and form the connection between climate change and its impact on the lives of each one of us. Each citizen of this world needs to own it up, the world with all its beauty, seasons, seas, oceans, mountains, forests, birds, plants, animals, glaciers, deserts and understand his duty towards preserving it, be it by planting a tree, saving water, recycling or making a compromise in his lifestyle as his contribution towards countering climate change.

The process has to start with awareness and sensitization at every level of the society, with communities participating in discussing the problem and themselves suggesting localized, lasting solutions. Noone should be left out, from the small child in the school to the old man in the shop, everyone should be on board, everyone should be one voice. Rather than making this a complicated subject for the diplomats and policy makers only, it should be a topic relevant and appealable for a cab driver in Lahore or a sweetsmaker in Karachi.

photo credits: dailymail, aajtv, pakistan today

Tum soochti kion ho!

Writing about women issues is quite a challenge in our society. You dont want to be labelled a cry baby, neither do you want to be eyed as a liberal femienist who has no regard for religious boundaries and is out there to fight and engage in hostile war. You also dont want that your opinion is taken as gender biased. With all these factors to consider, one has to tread very carefully so as to make her point, yet not hurt, misguide or be misunderstood by anyone. I, for one, feel very responsible when sharing my views as they may end up being constructive or destructive for the readers and I will be held accountable for it.

This piece is very close to my heart yet I kept it hidden for years, mostly because I didnt want people to judge me or pity me, for there is need for neither. It is above and beyond me, it is about a mindset I find sickening, discriminating, unIslamic and yet everyday we indulge in it, as if it is the most normal thing to do.

Having three daughters of my own, I know how people eye you and make assumptions about you. You may not feel the absence of a son but people make sure you do, with the words they say, the looks they give and the dilemma is, I get it most, if not all, from women themselves, discriminating their own kind. Words are just the beginning, we all know how women in our society are still abused, harassed and even mistreated to the unimaginable level due to this reason.

 That is why the poem begins with 'woh KEHTI hai' as I have found women to be both promoting and accepting this discrimination, some believing that its their right to discriminate and others deceiving themselves to think that ignoring it would make it disappear. However, I feel that it needs more than that. It needs to be countered, responded to and discussed in the most decent of ways so that people become more conscious in giving opinion on such matters.

CHOICE

Every moment is a choice
to live or to die
to do or not to do
to aim low or high

every moment is a choice
to smile or to cry
to believe or to doubt
to thank or to sigh

every moment is a choice
to give or to take
to dare or be afraid
to voice or be shy....
every moment is a choice
a choice for you and I

Sometimes choices can be a curse, you can choose not to do things, not to make an effort, especially when you are self-employed as many stay-at-home moms are. I've been through it and still have those days, when I feel weak in my resolve, the freedom to choose tempting me to get lazy, telling me it doesnt really matter if I let the day just go by, not doing as much with it as I resolved to....its a constant battle within:)

An Eight Year Old's Thoughts on Global Zero

The Global Zero event was not only enlightening for adults, but my 8 year old daughter had much to say and write about it. Here are Khadija's views about nuclear weapons:

Yesterday we went on a trip on the double Decker bus. A double decker bus is another bus on top of a bus. We sat in the upper part. It was so much fun, there weren't even windows or a roof. It was actually a trip of sightseeing Lahore and also it was basically an awareness to try to finish nuclear weapons from this world.

There were first no nuclear weapons in this world but then different countries started making them. In Second World War, America bombed the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and thousands of people were killed. When a nuclear bomb explodes, it causes so much destruction that besides humans, even the air, water, soil, plants and animals get effected and that effect lasts for generations.

I am an eight year old girl and I want to finish all the nuclear weapons in this world. If the 15000+ nuclear weapons made by the 9 countries in the world get in the hands of the terrorists, then that will be the end of this world. We don't even need nuclear weapons to be safe, all we need is educated people who are helpful, kind, respectful, just and tolerant.

Global Zero- A World Without Nuclear Weapons!

 I have always been a person who feels strongly for social causes be they women, children or environment related. That is why when I first saw the Global Zero event on Facebook,while the sightseeing aspect seemed most appealing, the linkup with a cause as big as Global Zero caught my attention too.

However, on the very day of the event, I again fell in doubt. Having never met the team of Global Zero, I had no idea what to expect but then I told myself that obviously, there's only one way to actually find out how they are and so I set out with my 3 daughters, on an adventure that we will surely remember for a long time.

Not only was the Global Zero team most professional, organized and friendly, but the govt initiative of Sightseeing Lahore was a wonderful discovery too.Very rarely do you see a govt run project being handled so well.

The tour in itself was refreshing, a totally different experience of viewing the city from a double decker bus. The trees of Lahore and sky full of clouds made it the perfect day for such a trip. With songs on Lahore in the background the drive was quite entertaining.

Here I must say that the cause was very well woven into the event as on the way, everyone was encouraged to share their views on the topic of nuclear weapons and how can the world become a safer place.

Once we reached Badshahi Mosque, the interactive sessions with Andaleeb Abbass and Maria Malik generated quite a discussion and debate on the need for nuclear weapons to make this world a safe place for all. Despite all arguments that supported the need for nuclear weapons, noone could defend that the 'use' of nuclear weapons will ever be a choice for any country for the level of destruction and catastrophe it will cause can never make it an option for defense. However, if these come in the hands of any of the terrorist organisations so active in the world today, the entire world community will be under threat.

Hence, the only sensible way out is the complete elimination of nuclear weapons, regardless of which country has them and why. In the words of Andaleeb Abbas, "Countries dont become strong with weapons but with strong economy, strong systems and structures and with investment in its human capital."

"The nuclear war is not the solution or way forward, infact hundreds of millions are required only to keep them safe from terrorists' hands. That same amount can be invested on development of the people, eradication of poverty, malnutrition and illiteracy!"

Speaking on the ocassion, Maria Malik,was of the view that while Pakistan had valid reasons to enter the nuclear race, the time has come that each country realizes that this race will be inconsequential and while it may be used to establish dominance of one country or the other,it will never be the answer to the anarchy surrounding this world. In her own words, "The world does not need more of Prithvi, Agni, Ghauri, but it needs more of Edhis and Mother Teresas!"

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness;
only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate;
only love can do that.
Hate multiplies hate,
violence multiplies violence,
and toughness multiplies toughness
in a descending spiral of destruction....
The chain reaction of evil --
hate begetting hate,
wars producing more wars --
must be broken,
or we shall be plunged
into the dark abyss of annihilation.

(Martin Luther King, Jr.
Strength To Love, 1963)

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS, MAKE LEMONADE!!!

The first time I saw her was at the club pool, and it was 'respect at first sight'. I have hardly seen people on a wheelchair in a regular place, let alone a swimming pool where even a physically able person thinks twice before coming, yet there she was, with her beautiful, shy smile, trying to understand the mysteries of the deep. I had no idea that it was THE TANZILA KHAN and neither did she let us find out by acting all important, yet I was in awe of her and of her courage, optimism, and
attitude towards challenges, and thus our friendship began.

During one of our discussions, as I complained about one of the issues at the club, she very casually said, "Why don't you raise it with the management! I'm sure they will look into it." And as we all make excuses, I did too, saying that you know how they are, why would they listen to a regular member and blah blah and she said, "Did you notice there used to be no facilities for the disabled at the club, like pathways, parking areas. I went to the secretary, requested him and did the required paperwork to make it happen! Now the pool, cafe and main club areas, all have special pathways for people on wheelchairs like me!"and my resolve to get to know this amazing young woman grew even stronger.

Here let me tell you that I'm older than Tanzila, a mom of three, yet these things don't stand in the way of me admiring and looking up to her, as I honestly admitted to my daughter," Tanzila has done more without two legs than what I have done with having two!" and as much as it made me feel a little low initially, it gave me the push to do more with my life, for no obstacles stop you other than the ones in your mind and she is a true example of that.

And then the day came. I had been waiting to hear Tanzilas story since forever but just didn't know how to bring it up and 'Lemonade with Tanzila' was the perfect platform for this opportunity. While I was overage for the program, I still applied and made special requests that I be allowed to attend it and am I glad I did. Juggling housework, family and kids, I made it to the event which was held on the busiest day of the week, Sunday!!

The air was welcoming, filled with positivity and laughter and while we all participants were strangers, we were all united in a special bond of respect, optimism and empowerment. For me, the highlight of the event was Tanzilas story and struggle. Born in a landlord family, she had faced the typical gender discrimination so prevalent in our society even today where beti k paida honay per shagun nahe kartay, but being born to enlightened parents, she braved all that with strength and courage. Schooling however was another story. In a country where the constitutional promises of equal rights and facilities for all are mere text on a paper, no school for special children had the standard of education her parents desired for her and thus she went to regular schools. However, there too, she faced challenges, "I had to switch several schools just because a single step made it impossible for me to go to the library, restroom or canteen and my search for a disable-friendly school continued!"

If you come to think of it, children with disabilities are called special children, yet(mostly)no special facilities and arrangements are made (in schools, colleges, markets, public areas, malls,etc) to ACTUALLY make them feel special, welcome and at least equal (if not special) children in the society!!! "I wondered," she said, "how am I special, the world is not made for me, it does not meet my needs, does not accommodate my limitations and yet I am told that I am special!"

Having gone through such challenges, she came out even stronger and braver."I did not want to be identified as the "girl in the wheelchair", I yearned for a better identity for myself and that quest led me to explore my potential!"

As she carried on about her story,my admiration for her grew even stronger. Here was a woman, a physically challenged person, yet she was not on the receiving end of a motivational talk but on the giving end of it. "I had to show the world that I am an asset, not a liability but I did not have it easy."

Facing insensitivity in the society made Tanzila realize that our society needs to be educated to give everyone their due rights and respect be it the elderly, disabled or pregnant women. While we are the heirs of the great legacy of compassion, empathy and human rights, we have put them behind us whereas we see inspiring examples of humanity elsewhere. " On one of my flights, a stranger offered me his place the second he realized that I was handicapped. I don't know his faith, religion, ethnicity or nationality, whether he eats haram meat or halal, but I can never forget his courtesy and kindness. That is what is missing from our society, we don't cash out on the opportunity of humanity, we don't realize its preciousness, its worth!"

And so she is out to do just that. Believing that a woman's job is to nourish, she has set out to nourish the society, sensitize it to the cause of humanity, brotherhood, respect, kindness and equality for all, irrespective of class, creed, religion, gender or physical limitations. I stand beside her and support her in this exciting, noble journey in all and every possible way that I can.


Her beautiful, soulful words, full of optimism, echoed in my mind even hours later"If you study the creation of man, you will see that when Allah created Hazrat Adam(AS), the angels voiced their concern but Allah said, you don't know what I know! Allah had faith in man all along, He believed in us then how can we doubt ourselves, how can we fall in despair, how can we not have faith in our own goodness and potential!"

Excerpt from my letter to a doctor

It is quite rare that you find a doctor who is competent, compassionate and kind, which is why I was driven to express my appreciation when I found one.

"You seemed to have stepped out of the 80s serial, "Dhoop Kinaray", all with your liveliness and pleasant countenance. These days when one is more afraid of the doctor than of his illness, you were most kind and compassionate, attending my daughter in the most affectionate, tactful and friendly of ways, that she, who would wail at the slightest of touch, was calmed down and easily let you examine her foot as you wisely distracted her and joked around with her. The young doctors around you too caught the vibe and were a group of cheerful folk in an environment as cold, serious and gloomy as a hospital, like an oasis in the desert.

I've written this letter just to state how pleasantly surprised and pleased I was to have met a doctor in this day and age who seems to really know what it means to be a doctor, to know that it is much more than skill, knowledge and degree, to know that his job begins the moment a patient looks at him for comfort, assurance and cure. We had never met you but you attended us with such warmth and courtesy that we haven't felt that comfort with most doctors who we have been seeing all our life.

I just wanted to thank you for that day and hope and pray that you continue to treat your patients and anyone you meet with the same warmth and concern. It is a rare virtue these days and I'm sure your parents have done a fine job with you. I don't know whether you are religious or not but you are a reflection of our Prophets(SAW) sunnah who always stressed on ikhlaq and you made me realize its importance and effectiveness even more."