Join the Movement: DawnMedia Leads the Charge for Collective Climate Action!

DawnMedia’s ‘Breathe Pakistan’ campaign has reached an important milestone with its first international conference on climate change, held in Pakistan. This event highlights a crucial issue: climate change is affecting us all, causing problems like melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and increased floods and droughts. Even though Pakistan contributes little to global warming, it faces severe consequences.

While discussions about climate change are growing among government and corporate circles, there’s still a big need to spread this awareness to everyone. To address this, DawnMedia launched the ‘Breathe Pakistan’ campaign. The campaign aims to spark meaningful discussions about climate action, culminating in the first-ever international conference on climate change in the country.

Launched on August 14, 2024, the campaign initially involved influencers who received saplings to plant, encouraging their followers to do the same. DawnMedia used its various platforms to share facts about Pakistan’s climate vulnerability, raising awareness through public service messages. They creatively connected this to mycelium—the underground network of fungi that nourish wounded trees in forests—urging people to unite in the fight against climate change.

As the campaign progressed, over 30 sponsors, dubbed “Mycelium Warriors,” joined in. This group included organizations like the United Nations Pakistan, the World Bank Group, and large corporations such as Unilever Pakistan. Their support highlighted the campaign’s growing influence. Throughout this effort, all Dawn Media properties, including Dawn and Aurora, featured articles and expert opinions on climate change.

The conference took place on February 6 and 7 in Islamabad. According to Nazafreen Saigol Lakhani, CEO of Dawn, the conference was necessary after COP 29 in Baku, which did not deliver the expected commitments for climate action and funding. They recognized the need for a platform to foster dialogue between different sectors to find solutions.

During the conference, 14 sessions tackled various topics, such as climate justice, climate finance, and the importance of women in climate action. Nearly 70 experts from 11 countries shared their insights. Key figures from the government, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and leading climate experts, participated in the discussions, emphasizing the urgency of taking action.

Industry leaders also contributed, discussing how businesses can partner with governments to create sustainable solutions. The conference emphasized the need for commitment from both the public and private sectors to address environmental challenges like pollution, water management, and food security.

Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani described the conference as a pivotal moment, underscoring that climate change is not just an environmental issue but also relates to economic security and social justice. The extensive media coverage, including from international outlets, showcased the conference’s significance and reach.

Reflecting on the campaign’s impact, Lakhani said the goal was to raise awareness about climate change, especially among policymakers and businesses. They wanted to connect different stakeholders to encourage self-reliance in adapting to climate change. She mentioned that the next phase of the campaign will foster continued dialogue and promote eco-friendly practices across communities.

DawnMedia will monitor the commitments made during the conference and promote further discussions to encourage investments in climate-friendly initiatives. Increasing awareness is essential, especially given a recent study showing that many Pakistanis do not view climate change as an urgent issue. Only 31% recognize its critical state, which is below the global average. This highlights the need for ongoing campaigns like ‘Breathe Pakistan’ to educate and engage the public on climate resilience.

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