Humans have never experienced this high concentration since the start of their time on the planet. A mere 1.1-degree increase in global temperature since the pre-industrial times has incurred massive changes in the pattern of human lives. The unprecedented rise in temperature, flooding, forest fires, locust swarms, and heat waves are now a normal occurrence throughout the world. Almost all of the man-made greenhouse gases are because of the way “humanity” chooses to travel and to make energy. People all around the globe are suffering from urban flooding and heatwaves. In 2014, Karachi, the economic hub of the country experienced a week-long heatwave that resulted in the death of almost a thousand people. He also pointed out that there is no safe amount of global warming. According to the University of Chicago, an increase of a half degree of temperature from 1.5 degrees to 2 degrees Celsius will cause the death of almost 150 million people, mostly from Asia. Earth is expected to pass through this change in global temperature towards the end of this century. To curb climate change, Mr. Alam further mentioned, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change “UNFCCC” was signed. Common but differentiated responsibility was embedded in the UNFCCC; it helped in assigning responsibility to countries based on their gas emissions. Kyoto protocol imposed a compulsory cap on the gas emission of countries. Its objective was to stabilize the gas emissions and not allow global warming past 2 degrees. Even though organizations are fighting to end climate change, the Earth has produced more greenhouse gases since 1990 than it has produced in all of its histories. Crops and trees are struggling to survive, the world is on the brink of a global food shortage.

To conclude the session Mr. Alam highlighted the atrocities of a consumerism-based global economic system. The current economic system has allowed the unaccountable exploitation of natural resources. 90 companies are responsible for two-thirds of the global greenhouse gases produced. There are cheaper and environment-friendly alternatives for energy production but still, long-term fossil fuel-based contracts are being signed all over the world. He concluded the session by showing the audience a scene from Spain where environmentalists decided to commit civil disobedience after seeing horrific facts about the climate crisis.