By: Ramesh Raja

From radioactive remnants and unexploded bombs to polluted seas, rising temperatures and melting glaciers, the environmental legacy of modern warfare is being inherited by people and nature. The countries that created and used these destructive weapons must acknowledge their responsibility, stop producing them and help clean up the toxic legacy they left behind.

War is normally remembered through battles, victories, defeats, borders and political settlements. History tells us when a war began and when peace was declared, but much less attention is given to what remains after the soldiers leave the battlefield. Every major war leaves behind another, largely invisible history: the history of ammunition, explosives, contaminated land, polluted water, damaged ecosystems and hazardous materials that can survive long after the conflict itself has disappeared from memory. A war may last a few years, while its ammunition may remain dangerous for a century and its chemical and environmental consequences may continue for generations. The world is now discovering that war does not necessarily end when the guns fall silent.

From Arrows to Industrial Ammunition

Human warfare began with relatively simple weapons such as stones, spears, arrows, swords and axes. These weapons could cause enormous human suffering, but their environmental legacy was comparatively limited. The arrival of gunpowder changed warfare by increasing the range and destructive capacity of armies through muskets and cannon. The Industrial Revolution transformed warfare again, allowing factories to manufacture weapons and ammunition on a scale previously unimaginable. The nineteenth century saw increasingly powerful rifles, machine guns, artillery and naval guns, and wars such as the Crimean War, American Civil War and Franco-Prussian War demonstrated the growing importance of industrially produced ammunition. Then came the twentieth century, when war became an industrial process. Factories could produce millions of cartridges, artillery shells, bombs, rockets, mines and other weapons and deliver them across enormous battlefields. As the quantity and power of ammunition increased, so did the environmental consequences.

World War I: When the Battlefield Became a Waste Site

The First World War was a decisive turning point in the environmental history of warfare. Between 1914 and 1918, artillery dominated much of the Western Front. Germany, France, Britain, Belgium and other combatant nations employed enormous quantities of artillery shells, machine-gun ammunition, grenades, mines, aircraft bombs and chemical weapons. The landscape itself was transformed into trenches, craters, destroyed settlements and contaminated ground. But not every shell exploded. More than a century later, unexploded ammunition is still being recovered from former battlefields in France and Belgium. The war ended in 1918, but its ammunition did not disappear with the peace treaty. It remained buried in the soil, waiting to be discovered by farmers, construction workers and local authorities.

World War II: Destruction on an Industrial Scale

The Second World War expanded the problem enormously. Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, Italy and other combatant nations mobilized their industrial economies to manufacture artillery, tanks, aircraft, bombs, rockets, naval weapons, mines and small arms. Cities were bombed from the air and battles were fought across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Vast quantities of military material were consumed, destroyed or abandoned. Mines and unexploded bombs remained across Europe and Asia, while sunken ships containing fuel, ammunition and other hazardous materials became part of the marine environment. But World War II also introduced humanity to something fundamentally different: the atomic bomb.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki: When the Aftermath Became Part of the Weapon

On 6 August 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and three days later, on 9 August, another atomic bomb was used against Nagasaki. The destruction was immediate and unprecedented. Buildings were destroyed, fires spread through the cities and enormous numbers of civilians were killed or injured. But the atomic bomb introduced a dimension that conventional ammunition could not produce on the same scale: ionizing radiation. The consequences therefore extended beyond the moment of explosion. Survivors exposed to radiation suffered acute health effects, while long-term studies documented increased risks of cancer and other diseases. Hiroshima and Nagasaki became more than historical symbols of destruction; they became a warning about what happens when technological power advances beyond society’s ability to manage its consequences.

The nuclear age that followed produced enormous arsenals and nuclear testing programs. The United States, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, France, China and other nuclear powers conducted tests in the atmosphere, underground or underwater, creating radioactive contamination in locations far removed from the original battlefields. The environmental legacy of warfare had therefore moved beyond metal, explosives and damaged buildings to radioactive contamination and long-term planetary risk. Hiroshima and Nagasaki demonstrated that the aftermath of a weapon can itself become part of its destructive legacy.

Vietnam and Indochina: The Battlefield beneath the Soil

The Vietnam War demonstrated another dimension of the problem. Large quantities of bombs, artillery, rockets, mines and other explosives were used across Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and a proportion of this ordnance failed to detonate. The United States conducted an enormous aerial bombing campaign during the Indochina conflicts, leaving behind vast quantities of unexploded ordnance. Decades later, unexploded bombs and other ordnance continue to pose risks to communities and restrict the safe use of land. Laos, in particular, remains heavily affected by unexploded cluster munitions and other remnants of war.

The farmer, child or construction worker who encounters an old explosive device is not experiencing an old war; they are experiencing its present-day consequence. In this way, military ammunition becomes an inherited environmental hazard.

The Weapon That Waits: Landmines

Few weapons demonstrate the persistence of war better than the landmine. A bullet is normally fired once and an artillery shell is intended to explode once, but a landmine is designed to wait. It can remain hidden beneath soil and vegetation for years or decades, becoming increasingly difficult to locate as landscapes change. Countries including Cambodia, Laos, Afghanistan, Angola, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq and Vietnam have faced extensive mine contamination. For these societies, ending the war is only the first stage; finding, removing and safely disposing of the weapons and restoring the land can take decades. Landmines also prevent farmers from using productive land, restrict movement, delay infrastructure development and make the return of displaced populations more difficult.

The Unending Effects of War

A war may have a beginning and an official end, but its consequences rarely follow the same calendar. The signing of a peace agreement can stop the fighting, yet it cannot immediately remove the weapons, explosives, contamination and destruction left across the battlefield. There is physical destruction of roads, bridges, railways, ports, dams, homes, hospitals and industrial facilities; chemical pollution from explosives, propellants, fuels, heavy metals and industrial substances; water contamination caused by damaged infrastructure and polluted soils; ecological destruction through fires, deforestation, damaged wetlands and contaminated agricultural land; and enormous quantities of military waste consisting of destroyed tanks, aircraft, vehicles, weapons, ammunition, plastics, composites, concrete and steel. Beyond the physical environment, war leaves displacement, disability, trauma, economic hardship and social disruption that can continue for generations. The war may be over, but environmental recovery may have only begun.

The Countries That Made War Industrial

The enormous scale of modern warfare was not created by a single country. Several states developed powerful military industries and used enormous quantities of ammunition in major wars and overseas campaigns. Among the most historically significant were Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal, although the scale and nature of their involvement differed greatly across periods and conflicts.

Germany became central to both World Wars and employed vast quantities of artillery, aircraft bombs, tank ammunition, rockets, mines and small arms. The United States became one of the world’s largest producers and users of military ammunition during the twentieth century, with major involvement in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq. The United Kingdom and France participated in major European and overseas conflicts and developed extensive military-industrial capabilities. Japan conducted major military campaigns across Asia and the Pacific, while Italy fought major campaigns in Europe and North Africa. Belgium and the Netherlands were deeply involved in European and colonial conflicts, while Spain and Portugal accumulated substantial military legacies through earlier European and colonial warfare.

This history should not be reduced to a simple ranking of which country was “most aggressive” or which country used the greatest amount of ammunition. Wars differed enormously in duration, geography, technology and military objectives. More importantly, the environmental consequences often appeared far from the country where the weapon was manufactured.

That distinction is fundamental. The country that produces or uses the weapon and the country that inherits its environmental consequences may be completely different.

The Environmental Debt of War

There is therefore an uncomfortable contradiction in modern history. Some of the countries that developed the most powerful military industries and participated in the largest industrial wars later became among the strongest advocates of international environmental standards, restrictions on hazardous materials, marine protection and controls on certain weapons.

These modern rules are necessary and should be strengthened. But today’s regulations cannot erase yesterday’s contamination.

The unexploded bomb does not know that international law has changed. The buried mine does not recognize a peace treaty. The contaminated soil does not distinguish between the generation that created the pollution and the generation that inherited it. The sea does not recognize national borders. This creates what can reasonably be called an environmental debt of war.

Countries such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina and others have inherited enormous burdens from conflicts in which they became battlefields or theatres of military operations. Their populations continue to face unexploded ordnance, contaminated land, damaged ecosystems and the cost of clearance and restoration.

The question of responsibility therefore deserves a broader international discussion. If a powerful country manufactures, supplies or uses enormous quantities of ammunition in a foreign conflict, should its responsibility end when its soldiers leave or when the peace agreement is signed? Or should responsibility extend to helping the affected country clear unexploded ammunition, restore contaminated land, rehabilitate ecosystems and make communities safe again?

This is not simply a question of assigning blame to present generations for historical conflicts. It is a question of environmental responsibility and intergenerational justice.

The countries that possess the greatest financial, technological and engineering capacity are also in the strongest position to help address the consequences of the wars in which their weapons were used. Assistance could include funding mine action, unexploded-ordnance clearance, contaminated-land remediation, marine monitoring, environmental restoration and long-term scientific research.

The principle should be straightforward: peace should include responsibility for the physical and environmental consequences left behind by war.

The Seas: The World’s Forgotten Battlefield

The oceans deserve particular attention because they have been theatres of naval warfare as well as repositories for military material. Ships, aircraft, mines, fuel, ammunition and other hazardous materials have been sunk, lost or abandoned beneath the water. Some remain there for decades.

The recent investigation of radioactive waste dumped in the Northeast Atlantic provides an extraordinary example of how yesterday’s disposal decisions can become today’s environmental research. Between 1950 and 1990, more than 200,000 barrels of radioactive waste were dumped in the deep Northeast Atlantic, and scientists are now examining the condition of the seabed and the interaction between deteriorating containers, sediments and marine ecosystems.

This particular case was not battlefield ammunition, but it demonstrates a broader principle relevant to military waste: placing hazardous material out of sight does not make it disappear. The seabed cannot simply be treated as an infinite waste repository.

Military history contains many other examples of ammunition and hazardous materials lost or abandoned at sea. Their deterioration raises difficult questions about marine pollution, corrosion, toxic releases and the long-term monitoring of underwater military sites.

Climate Change Is Reopening the Battlefield

There is another emerging danger. Climate change is altering the physical conditions that once buried or concealed wartime ammunition. Extreme heat can affect old ammunition stockpiles, drought can expose objects beneath drying rivers and lakes, and wildfires can remove vegetation that has hidden unexploded ordnance for generations.

Recent European fires have demonstrated the uncomfortable interaction between climate change and the legacy of war, with old bombs and mines exposed or detonated as heat, drought and fires alter former battlefields. Climate change is therefore not only creating new environmental hazards; it can also reactivate hazards created by previous generations.

The environmental legacy of war and the climate crisis are increasingly becoming interconnected problems.

Ukraine: The Modern Ammunition Battlefield

The Russia-Ukraine war demonstrates the scale and complexity of modern ammunition warfare. Artillery shells, rockets, missiles, mines, bombs, tank ammunition and drones have turned large areas into future clearance and remediation zones. The environmental consequences include damaged agricultural land, polluted soil and waterways, destroyed industrial facilities and extensive explosive remnants.

Rebuilding Ukraine will therefore not simply mean reconstructing buildings and roads. It will also mean making the land safe again, clearing unexploded ordnance and dealing with contaminated areas before they can safely return to productive civilian use.

The Hidden Weight of War

The physical scale of ammunition is difficult to comprehend. A rifle cartridge weighs only a few grams, a mortar bomb may weigh several kilograms, an artillery shell can weigh tens of kilograms, a large aircraft bomb can weigh hundreds or even thousands of kilograms, and a missile may weigh several tons. When these individual weapons are multiplied by millions of rounds and years of warfare, the result is an extraordinary flow of material through the environment.

War therefore creates not only human casualties but also a vast stream of metals, explosives, propellants, fuels, chemicals, plastics, composites, concrete and hazardous residues. In environmental terms, war is also a gigantic material and waste-management problem.

Who Pays the Environmental Bill?

The true cost of war should therefore be calculated differently. It should include lives lost, infrastructure destroyed, economic damage, ammunition consumed, unexploded ordnance, environmental contamination, clearance costs, restoration costs and intergenerational consequences. Only then can we begin to understand the real price of war.

The cost of a weapon should not be considered complete when it leaves a factory or when it explodes. Its environmental life may continue long after its military purpose has ended.

If an ammunition-producing or weapon-using country has the technological and financial capacity to participate in war, it should also have the capacity to contribute to the cleanup of its legacy. This does not mean that every historical conflict can be assigned a simple bill to a single country. Responsibility will often be shared among combatants, suppliers, users and successive governments. But the principle of assistance should become stronger, particularly where the environmental burden has fallen disproportionately on poorer countries and civilian populations.

From Military Engineering to Environmental Responsibility

This challenge has an important lesson for engineers. Civil engineering traditionally asks how to design infrastructure safely, economically and efficiently, but modern engineering increasingly asks what happens at the end of a material’s life. That principle lies behind life-cycle assessment, circular economy, material passports and sustainable design.

The same thinking should ultimately be applied to military materials. A weapon has a life cycle that begins with raw materials and manufacturing, continues through transportation, storage and deployment, and may end not with an explosion but with abandonment, residual contamination, clearance, disposal, recycling and environmental restoration.

Responsibility should not stop at the moment the weapon is fired.

If engineers are expected to design a bridge for a hundred-year life, society should also ask what happens to a weapon, ammunition depot, military vehicle or military facility after its operational life ends. The question is not whether war material can be produced efficiently; it is whether its complete environmental life cycle has been considered.

The Ultimate Irony

Humanity has become extraordinarily sophisticated at designing weapons. We can guide missiles across continents, identify targets from satellites, deploy drones remotely and manufacture weapons with extraordinary precision. Yet the basic environmental question remains surprisingly simple: what happens to what we leave behind?

A bomb can destroy a building in seconds, but removing an unexploded bomb may require specialists decades later. A mine can be manufactured quickly but deny a farmer access to land for generations. A toxic chemical can enter a river, a sunken military vessel can become a long-term source of pollution, and radioactive material can remain an environmental concern long after the political circumstances that produced it have disappeared.

The paradox is profound. Humanity has developed increasingly sophisticated methods of destruction but has not developed an equally powerful international system for paying for and repairing the environmental consequences.

Peace Should Include Environmental Restoration

Perhaps the definition of victory itself needs to change. Victory should not simply mean that one army defeats another. A genuine end to war should mean that people can return safely to their homes, farmers can cultivate their fields, children can walk without fear, rivers can be used safely, forests can recover and contaminated land can be restored.

Peace should therefore have an environmental dimension. The guns must stop, mines must be cleared, unexploded ammunition must be removed, contaminated land must be restored, polluted water must be cleaned and the environmental debt must not simply be transferred to another generation.

War has evolved from arrows and swords to artillery, aircraft, missiles, drones and nuclear weapons. Our destructive power has grown enormously, and so has the persistence of what we leave behind. The history of warfare is therefore also a history of humanity’s growing environmental debt.

The countries that built the great arsenals of the modern age have an opportunity to demonstrate a different kind of leadership today: not merely by creating stronger rules for future wars, but by helping repair the environmental damage inherited from past wars.

The ultimate measure of civilization may not be how effectively a nation can destroy an enemy, but how responsibly humanity deals with the consequences of destruction.

A weapon does not necessarily disappear when it is fired. It can remain in the soil, in the water, beneath the sea, in the food chain and in the landscape. Sometimes it remains a danger for generations.

Wars end. Their waste does not. Western countries should honestly acknowledge and accept their responsibility for a significant part of the environmental damage the world is witnessing today, from rising temperatures and melting glaciers to the degradation of marine ecosystems and other climate-related disasters. Over decades, many of these countries fought major wars using highly destructive and hazardous weapons, leaving behind unexploded ammunition, toxic residues and other dangerous materials scattered across battlefields, abandoned areas and even the seas. Much of this legacy continues to affect human beings, animals and ecosystems long after the wars themselves have ended. If the world is genuinely serious about addressing the environmental consequences of warfare, these countries should not only acknowledge the damage caused by their past actions but also take meaningful responsibility for its remediation. At the very least, countries that continue to possess the greatest capacity to manufacture such destructive weapons should stop producing them and contribute to cleaning up the toxic legacy their wars have left behind.

Read: Global Warming: The Planet Under Siege

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The author of this article, Engr. Ramesh Raja, is a Civil Engineer, visionary planner, PMP certified and literary enthusiast with a passion for art and recreation. He can be reached at engineer.raja@gmail.com  

The post Past Wars Still Cost the Earth first appeared on Sindh Courier.

In a world of global economies and international politics, this voice is often drowned out

• It is a conversation that must continue, a whisper that must be heard, and a destiny that must be embraced

By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden

In a world carved into 195 nations, with borders drawn by treaties and history, there exists a profound and enduring connection between a people and their homeland. It is a bond that transcends maps and political lines, a silent conversation between the earth and those who have lived upon it for generations. This is not just a story of a place, but a reflection on the very essence of belonging, stewardship, and destiny. It is a fable, if you will, told in the voice of a land itself, speaking to its children about the legacy they must protect.

Imagine a land, an ancient and wise entity that has witnessed the passage of countless millennia. It has seen civilizations rise and fall, cultures flourish and fade. For this land, the concept of a “nation” or a “province” is a recent and often fragile idea. Its identity is forged not by political decrees, but by the rhythm of its rivers, the silence of its mountains, and the fertility of its plains. It is a land that has given everything to its people, its water, its soil, its oil, its gas, its very breath.

“My children,” the land whispers, a voice carried on the wind, “look at me. I am a small, cherished corner of this vast planet, but I am all you have. I am your indigenous homeland, woven into the very fabric of your history for thousands of years. From the dawn of time, when the first whispers of your language were carried on my air, I was here. I am the cradle where your ancestors learned to farm, to build, and to dream. My rivers have nourished your fields, my sun has ripened your crops, and my soil has been the foundation of your homes.”

This voice from the earth is a powerful one, for it speaks of a forgotten truth: that a land is not merely property to be exploited, but a living entity with a soul and a purpose. It speaks of the natural treasures that lie within its embrace, treasures that are not just resources but a sacred inheritance. The land’s voice continues, with a mix of pride and a plea:

“Look at all that I have given you. The endless blue of the sea that embraces my shores, filled with life and possibility. The great river that has been my lifeblood since the beginning of memory, carving a path through my heart and bringing sustenance to all. The fields, stretching as far as the eye can see, and the plains, where your communities have flourished. I have given you mountains, standing as silent guardians, and I have hidden beneath my surface vast reserves of oil and gas, meant to fuel your progress and prosperity. Even the air you breathe and the very ground you walk on, it all belongs to you.”

This is the essence of a homeland. It is an extension of identity, a canvas on which the story of a people is painted. The resources it holds are not just economic assets; they are a trust, a patrimony to be used wisely and protected fiercely. The land is asking a fundamental question of its people: “Why do you not claim me? Why do you not protect me?”

The land’s plea is a timeless call for responsibility. It is a reminder that indigenous peoples have a unique and profound relationship with their land, one that is not based on temporary ownership but on a permanent duty of care. This duty includes not only the use of resources but also their preservation for future generations. It is a call to stand up and assert their right to their own development, to shape their own future, and to benefit from the wealth that is rightfully theirs.

In a world of global economies and international politics, this voice is often drowned out. But for those who listen, it is an undeniable truth. The land is not an abstract concept; it is the very soil beneath their feet, the air in their lungs. It is a source of strength and identity, a constant reminder of who they are and where they come from. It is a mother, a teacher, a protector.

The message is clear and compelling. The land has created a part of the world specifically for the betterment and development of its people. It is a gift, a promise, and a legacy. Now, it is up to the people to fulfill their end of the bargain. To step forward and claim their destiny. To protect their inheritance. To ensure that the promise of the land is not lost to the winds of time, but is instead realized for all the generations yet to come. It is a conversation that must continue, a whisper that must be heard, and a destiny that must be embraced.

Read: Inner Change, Outer Care for Nature

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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.

The post The Land Hums in Hidden Whispers first appeared on Sindh Courier.

This article explores the urgent reality of climate change, its causes, and devastating effects—especially in South Asia and Pakistan. It also highlights the role of youth, media, and global cooperation in addressing this critical issue.

Sawera Nadeem

The Earth, once abundant with natural beauty and resources, is now under siege. Climate change and environmental neglect have accelerated ecological deterioration, threatening biodiversity, ecosystems, and human well-being. Melting glaciers, erratic weather patterns, and rising sea levels are no longer distant warnings—they are today’s realities. To combat this growing threat, we must first understand its root causes, recognize its consequences, and commit to sustainable change.

The Science of Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. While some variation is natural, the recent drastic changes are largely driven by human activities. These changes disrupt the balance of ecosystems, endanger wildlife, and increase the frequency of extreme weather events.

How Human Activities Accelerate Global Warming

The burning of fossil fuels—coal, oil, and gas—releases massive amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, leading to a warming effect known as the greenhouse effect. Deforestation, industrial pollution, and overconsumption further exacerbate this problem by reducing Earth’s ability to absorb carbon and maintain climate balance.

Environmental Neglect

Environmental neglect goes hand in hand with climate change. Our reliance on plastic, unregulated industrial waste, and destruction of forests for agriculture and urbanization damages the environment at an alarming pace. Forests act as carbon sinks, but their removal reduces the planet’s ability to regulate climate. Meanwhile, unchecked pollution contaminates air, water, and soil, making life increasingly unsustainable

The Silent Killers

Microplastics now permeate oceans and food chains, while air pollutants cause respiratory diseases and reduce life expectancy. Contaminated water—whether from pesticides, industrial runoff, or improper waste disposal—harms both ecosystems and human populations. These ‘silent killers’ are often overlooked in everyday life, yet they pose some of the gravest threats to global health.

Local Impacts

South Asia is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change. Heatwaves have become more intense, causing heatstroke and death. Floods displace millions annually, while prolonged droughts affect food security and agricultural livelihoods. Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan are already bearing the brunt of this climatic imbalance.

Pakistan’s Water Crisis and Urban Pollution

Pakistan faces a severe water shortage due to mismanagement, climate-induced glacial melt, and inefficient irrigation systems. At the same time, urban centers like Karachi and Lahore suffer from toxic air quality and poor waste management, contributing to rising health issues and a deteriorating quality of life.

The Human Cost – Climate Refugees

As rising sea levels consume coastal areas and extreme weather destroys homes, millions become climate refugees. These individuals are forced to migrate in search of safety, facing uncertain futures and straining social systems in host communities.

Rising Disease and Respiratory Issues

Climate change has led to an increase in vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue, while air pollution triggers asthma, heart disease, and lung cancer. The poor often suffer disproportionately due to lack of healthcare and environmental protection.

Environmental Injustice: Who Suffers the Most?

Environmental degradation impacts everyone, but not equally. Marginalized communities are more likely to live in polluted areas and lack the resources to recover from climate disasters. This deepens existing inequalities and perpetuates cycles of poverty and suffering.

Unequal Responsibility

While industrialized nations have contributed the most to climate change, developing countries bear its harshest consequences. This imbalance raises ethical questions about responsibility, climate justice, and reparations.

Small Actions, Big Impact

Individual efforts like reducing plastic use, conserving water, and choosing eco-friendly transportation can collectively make a difference. Sustainable agriculture, renewable energy adoption, and waste reduction also play key roles.

Green Policies and Climate Agreements: Are They Working?

International agreements like the Paris Accord aim to curb emissions, but their success depends on accountability and enforcement. National policies must align with global goals, ensuring both ecological protection and economic development.

How Youth Are Leading the Fight

Young activists like Greta Thunberg have inspired millions to join climate movements. In Pakistan and beyond, youth-led campaigns demand action from leaders and promote awareness through digital platforms.

The Role of Media in Environmental Advocacy

Media has a powerful role in shaping public opinion. Documentaries, social media campaigns, and investigative journalism spotlight environmental issues, mobilizing communities and influencing policy decisions.

Climate Action Starts with Awareness

Educate yourself and others. Support sustainable brands. Pressure policymakers to prioritize the environment. Join local clean-up drives. Every action counts—no matter how small.

Saving the Planet Is Not Optional – It’s Urgent

We are running out of time. Immediate, collective action is the only way to prevent irreversible damage. The responsibility lies with governments, industries, communities, and individuals alike.

A Shared Responsibility: Healing the Earth Together

Climate change and environmental neglect are not future problems—they are happening now. But through awareness, action, and unity, we can protect the planet for future generations. Healing Earth is not just a necessity; it is a moral obligation.

Read: Earth’s Latest ‘Vital Signs’ Show the Planet Is in Crisis

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Sawera Nadeem, based in Karachi, is a Mass Communication student with a passion for research-based writing.  She focuses on topics that highlight public interest and social impact.

Read: Gas Meter Ban in Sindh: A New Energy Crisis

The post Climate Change: The Earth in Crisis first appeared on Sindh Courier.

• The question is: how can a displaced, mentally and physically vulnerable, and out-of-school child become the future leader of our planet?

By: Shabana Meer

Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, reformers, and visionaries, tasked with making the world a peaceful, secure, and habitable place for all living beings. This vision can only become a reality if we hand them a healthy planet for their future. Unfortunately, the decision-makers around the world have not yet fully grasped the urgency of climate change. This is not merely a problem but a matter of human survival on Earth.

Since the 1800s, we have observed changes in weather patterns, driven by industrialization and the increased energy demands of manufacturing. The continued reliance on fossil fuels—such as gas, coal, and oil—has led to the emission of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and methane), which are causing global temperatures to rise. If this trend continues unchecked, it could threaten the survival of all living things on the planet.

Recognizing the seriousness of this issue, world leaders convened at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris on December 12, 2015. At this conference, 196 countries signed an international treaty aimed at limiting the rise in global average temperature to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with an aspirational goal of limiting the increase to 1.5°C.

Despite these efforts, the rising temperatures are leading to more frequent and severe extreme weather events, such as storms, floods, and droughts. These events contribute to melting glaciers, diminishing forests, and polluted oceans, all of which harm biodiversity and ecosystems.

According to a report by Save the Children, “globally, an estimated 1.2 billion children live in areas at high risk of flooding, severe drought, or other climate threats. Many of these children’s families depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, particularly in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, which affects their ability to survive, learn, and feel protected.”

Read: Impacts of Climate Change: Thar can reduce its vulnerability

UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Index identifies Pakistan as a climate hotspot, ranking it 14th out of 163 countries and regions for climate risk to children. In Pakistan, poor governance and ineffective government institutions have hindered progress in addressing climate change. As a result, the country has seen limited success in controlling rising temperatures. For instance, on May 24, 2024, CNN reported that temperatures at Mohen-jo-Daro, Sindh, reached 52.2°C (126°F)—a record high for the region.

Additionally, data from UNICEF indicate that in 2022, heavy monsoon rains affected 33 million people in Pakistan, including approximately 16 million children. Moreover, according to National Disaster Management Authority the outbreak of malaria cases, the incidence of diarrhea was at least five times higher especially in Sindh and Baluchistan during the flood while more than 1 in 9 children under five admitted to health facilities had suffered from severe acute malnutrition. Whereas, more than 3.5 million children’s education was interrupted due to the impact of floods.

The crux of the problem is that what we call natural disasters are actually man-made disasters, caused by global warming and harming the inheritors of this planet. Regrettably, according to the most recent data from Global Carbon Atlas the five countries that produce the world’s highest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are China, the U.S., India, Russia, and Japan. Nevertheless, these countries are often hypocritical in addressing the problem due to their immediate gains. The question is: how can a displaced, mentally and physically vulnerable, and out-of-school child become the future leader of our planet?

The most recent COP 28 conference held in Dubai on 30 November to 12 December operationalized the Loss and Damage Fund for developing countries that, although not directly responsible for climate change, suffer the most from its impacts. While this initiative is a step in the right direction, it is not a long-term solution. To address the root cause, all countries need to take serious steps to end the use of fossil fuels. However, many developing countries, plagued by poor and corrupt governance, are not yet working towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals to achieve the 2030 target. It is high time for all nations to prioritize the planet over self-interest and commit to honest, long-term solutions for climate change.

Read: Understanding the devastating impact of climate change

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The writer is a government officer based in Hyderabad

The post Climate Change and the Future Generation first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Md. Ejaj Ahamed is a bilingual poet, writer, journalist, teacher, an editor and a peace ambassador. He was born on 26 February 1990 in a remote village called Mahendrapur in Aurangabad of Murshidabad district, West Bengal, India. His Educational Qualifications are English Honors, triple MA, B.Ed., D. El. Ed. He has been teaching for 12 years. During his college days, his Bengali-English poems and essays were published in the college magazine ‘Ayon’ every year. His Bengali-English poetry, essays have been published in various magazines, journals, newspapers and joint poetry books. His research article ‘Discovery and the Golden Peak of Improvement’ has been published in an International Journal Called RJELAL and his another research article ‘Exploring New Trends and Innovations in English Language and Literature’ has been published in an international standard book. His published Bengali books are ‘Swopno Tori'(Dream Boat), Bangla Sahitya o cinemaya Goyenda Charitra (Detective Characters in Bengali Literature and Cinema), ‘Maner pandulipi'(Manuscript of Mind), ‘Hrid-Canvas'(Heart-Canvas) and ‘Antarer Kabyakatha'(The Poetry of Heart), ‘Paranta Sandhya’ (Fall Evening). He is the chief editor of Swapner Vela Sahitya patrika (The Raft of Dreams Literary Magazine). He was a member of the editorial board of ‘International Sahitya Subarna’ magazine, now he is a member of the advisory committee. He is the North Bengal editor of ‘The Quadri Times’ newspaper and finance secretary of ‘Joy Bangla Sahitya Parisad’ of Bangladesh. He has edited a collection of Bengali poems by poets from India and Bangladesh, ‘Kabitar Akash'(The Sky of Poetry) and ‘Kabitar Aranya'(The Forest of Poetry), ‘Kabitar Sagar’ (The Sea of Poetry). He also works as a journalist for various newspapers. He has gotten many awards and honorary doctorates from various organizations. He got honor from the SAARC Human Rights Foundation. He has received ‘Ambassador of peace’ of WLFPH, ‘Global Ambassador’ of International Literacy Study Group (Bangladesh ) Member of Global Ambassadors of Sustainability and Certified Sustainability Officer (Dubai), Member of International Peace Ambassadors Academy (Egypt), Ambassador- ‘Iqra Foundation’ (Jerusalem), Member of Peace of ‘International Academy for Peace and Human Rights’ (Egypt), Member- ‘Feather and Extender Humanity Academy’ Europe and Turkey Branch, Member- Global Friends Club, Ambassador for World Peace- Foundation Maria Gladys. He is also a moderator of ‘London Poets Club’ (England).

HAIKU

The sun awakens 

The earth from her sleep, all the

Nature be glad; smile.

When the sun sets, night

Comes but then the moon, the stars

Peep and glut natures.

***

THE EARTH’S PRAYER

The earth has been suffering from the disease called war for ages,

The earth gazes at the mankind with helplessness,

She is crying with agony,

She prays to Almighty

To recover and forgiving her sons

 To transform into ideal animals, Ideal humans;

She prays to the Creator to scatter

The perfume of harmony among humans’ geography;

She prays to the Merciful Master of the universe

 For showering of peace in the country

 Of human mind;

She prays to the Savior to protect her from war

And to sow the seeds of swear

In the fields of gene and the minds of humankind

Not to fight.

***

UNDER A STARRY HEAVEN

I sat by a stream under a starry heaven,

The night’s eye found her face in the mirror of water,

I looked up and down again and again,

She smiled and all were being overwhelmed by her splendor;

The stream was laughing and dancing,

The breeze was singing,

And drawing fondling on our bodies and minds;

The whole valley bathed with the fountain of moonlight,

And wore the dress of delight.

Thoughts of romanticism were flying with wings

In the sky of my mind.

If my beloved were in this beautiful moment with me

How much better it would be!

Then thoughts of cosmos were flying with wings

In the sky of my mind.

How large the cosmos!

How many planets and stars!

And the thought-birds mind me the Almighty

And I said, how great the Creator!

________________

Prepared Angela Kosta Academic, journalist, writer, poet, essayist, literary critic, editor, translator, and journalist.

The post The Earth’s Prayer – Poetry from West Bengal first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Geneva

The UN independent expert on human rights and the environment has called for an urgent and radical shift in how business and the global economy operates to prevent irreversible damage to Earth’s life support system and safeguard human rights.

In a hard-hitting report to the Human Rights Council, Special Rapporteur David Boyd underscored that current business practices, particularly large corporations, pose a severe threat to the planet’s ecological integrity.

‘Colossal impacts’ of the ultrarich

Mr. Boyd emphasized the “colossal impacts” on natural resources, which are being consumed six times faster than the planet can sustain.

“Led by the ultrarich, with their private jets, yachts, massive mansions, space travel and hyperconsumptive lifestyles, humanity is exceeding Earth’s carrying capacity,” the report stated in stark language, singling out the ecological footprint of the world’s most developed nations.

“If everyone consumed like the average American, we would need another four Earths to supply the resources and absorb the wastes,” it added.

Profound consequences

“We are sabotaging Earth’s life support system, with profound consequences for human rights,” he warned.

He added that States have failed to adequately regulate, monitor, prevent and punish businesses for their abuses of the climate, environment and human rights.

“The situation is further exacerbated as States often encourage, enable and subsidize destructive business activities.”

The Human Rights Council-appointed independent expert highlighted some of the most destructive impacts of business enterprises on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

Among them are so-called “greenwashing”, the undermining of scientific fact, enabling corruption and the use of lawsuits to silence debate and intimidate critics. The impacts are documented in a policy brief supplementing Mr. Boyd’s report.

“All businesses are responsible for respecting human rights, including the right to a healthy environment,” he said, stressing States’ duty to protect human rights from actual and potential harm that businesses may cause, and their obligation to hold businesses accountable.

A paradox

Mr. Boyd also highlighted a paradox confronting the international community.

He cited the imperative of reducing the ecological footprint to slow climate change while also acknowledging the necessity for increased energy and material use and availability in the Global South.

This, he asserted, is crucial for achieving a comfortable standard of living and ensuring the full enjoyment of human rights, calling on the developed world to spearhead efforts.

“Wealthy States must take the lead in reducing their footprints and financing sustainable and equitable growth in the global South.”

Prioritize benefits, not profits

The independent expert presented several recommendations to achieve ecological sustainability, including a shift away from measuring Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which puts a monetary value on all economic activity as the sole indicator of progress.

He also called for human rights due diligence legislation, the adoption of rights-based climate and environmental laws, imposing accountability on polluters and fostering new business paradigms which prioritize societal benefits over shareholder profits.

“Paradoxically, businesses have a critical role in supporting society’s quest for a just and sustainable future. Therefore, we need to promote good practices and require all businesses to shift to a paradigm that puts people and the planet before profit,” Mr. Boyd said.

Special Rapporteurs are not UN staff and are independent of any government or organization. They serve in their individual capacity and receive no salary for their work.

Read: Addressing Environmental Challenges and Denial of Justice

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Courtesy: UN News (Posted on March 7, 2024)

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Asmonur Rejabboyeva, a young poet of Uzbekistan, shares her poetry

Asmonur Rejabboyeva, born on April 26, 1992 in the village of Ko’kyor, Yangikurgan district, in the cool and mountainous area of Uzbekistan, studied at the Namangan State University in the direction of ‘The idea of national independence, spiritual foundations and legal education’ at the bachelor’s level on the basis of an honors diploma. In March 2015, she started working in the newspaper “Children world” under the authority of the Department of Public Education. In journalism, she won a place among the winners of the regional stage of the “Greatest and Dearest” Republican competition. During her career, she regularly participated in the publications of the Republic with her series of articles. In 2019, she took first place in the “Youngest Photographer of the Year” competition. In 2020, her first poetry collection titled “My existence” was published. In 2016, she participated in the media camps of young journalists at the “Bo’stonliq” youth camp in Tashkent region, and in the “Yoshlar” camp in Kashkadarya in 2017. In 2020, she won the “Zomin-2020” competition of young artists. At the end of 2020, she participated in the Khorezm International Youth Conference “Active and Innovative Youth”. In 2021-2022 academic year, she was accepted to the master’s degree in the “Methodology of Teaching Social Humanities” department of the “Faculty of Law” of Namangan State University. I completed my master’s degree in 2023. In the first year of my master’s degree, she published her books such as “Journey to the Heart” in poetry, “Ninth Car” in prose, and “Manhood of a Mindless Girl” (a collection of fairy tales for children). In addition, her creative works were included in the international anthology “Girls’ Heart Words” published by “Yaninevi” publishing house of Turkey. Her works were published in the anthology “Voices of Uzbek Girls” collected by the American publishing house “Amazon”, and in the collection of creative youth published in the country of Khytot. She won the absolute winner in the region in the field of journalism of the contest “My contribution to the development of the country”. Her articles on the topic “The role of art and literature in human spirituality” were published in “Impor Fakt”, “Salohiyat Mezoni”, University newsletters, and the American publication “Amazon” was named “Most also published her scientific article on this topic in the “Active Leaders” collection. Her prose and poetic works were also published on the Albanian “Argonish” website, the Turkish “Qizilirmak” newspaper, the Indian “Namaste India” magazine, the German “Raven cage” magazine, the Kenyan “Kenya Times”, the “Hidoyat” of Uzbekistan, “Mo’minalar”. She won the competition held by the Ministry of Science and Education of Russia and got the 3rd place with scientific article. She is member of the International Association of World Talents, the winner of the “Abay” medal, the recipient of the commemorative medal of the “Amir Temur International” charity fund. Currently, she is an independent researcher at Namangan State University

EARTH, WATER, SPACE

I am recognized by Earth, Water, Space

 Mountains are a model.

I own the whole sky,

Exxe, it’s time to live, very.

Every destination became like me,

My wealth is endless.

Falcons, eagles came out of the cage,

How can you live without a will!?

From the earth to the stars is now a step,

 The whole continent will sing my name!

My heart is alone with you

Give me back my identity!

***

It’s just that we think so much alike,

You are autumn and I am gold leaf.

You are a symbol of love, love to me,

And I am a beautiful quiver on the lips.

***

The world in which beauty is embedded in my heart…

I think it’s all a dream.

Bringing thoughts to the norm,

It’s like I’m going to be reborn!

***

MAY EVERYONE

May everyone be blessed with such happiness!

 May heaven fill the houses! 

Because mothers have a smile,

The poems match the original tunes.

At home, at work, and on the street,

The necklace named after the restless woman.

Woman – Mother, woman – wife, sister,

An example to the world at the same time.

A big world in a small heart,

 Happiness is born from delicate hands.

The presence of cradle mothers is a gift,

HEAVEN under her feet!

***

HAPPY

We both have similar eyes.

We both share faith.

My mother and I are very happy.

I am alive with my mother.

Warm Bagri gives me water, air,

Prayers to return to life.

I thank me every day,

I was lucky to be called my mother.

Heaven is close to me,

Everywhere in our house is a garden.

 When they say that my mother is my daughter,

 It is a high mountain in my chest.

_____________

Also read: Sea flower… Poetry from Uzbekistan

The post Earth, Water, Space – Poetry by Asmonur Rejabboyeva of Uzbekistan first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By Maria Memon and Dr. Rafique Wassan 

In the current Anthropocene epoch, the planet Earth has experienced an unprecedented crisis in the form of climate and ecological catastrophe, depletion of nature, water, land, and mineral resources as well as the urban life and infrastructures which are fraught with devastating living conditions. Of late, social science and humanities researchers and scholars working within the framework of the critical theory of nature have taken account of the planetary crisis in the light of human capitalist-centric development models in the current age of the Anthropocene. In this light, the most basic question is posed to contest the human-nature relationship in the Anthropocene age which is marked by exploitation and control of nature. Carl Cassegard, Professor in the Department of Sociology and Work Science, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, in his seminal book Toward a Critical Theory of Nature: Capital, Ecology, and Dialectics has drawn attention to the capitalist social forms that determine human relationship with nature. In the same vein, Belgian anthropologist Lieselotte Viaene has presented incredible scholarly work on the Rights of Nature (RoN) and rivers in the light of the Anthropocene catastrophe. Notably, the Right of Nature (RoN) concept presented by Lieselotte Viaene (2022:187) is informed by the legal education framework and therefore calls attention to ‘granting legal personhood to nature’ especially rivers.

Experts are calling for granting legal personhood to nature, especially the rivers

Having an interest in researching environmental crisis and climate change disaster in the Anthropocene, in the preparation of this coproduced article, we take inspiration from critical conceptual tools such as the Rights of Nature (RoN), and critical theory of nature which are elevated in the aforementioned scholarly work. We understand that the calling of attention to the Rights for Nature (RoN) concept is a potentially powerful framework to engage in a meaningful dialogue on the protection of nature and the environment and highlight advocacy for the ecology sustenance-based development model which breaks free from the anthropocentric approach. Recognizing the rights of nature such as rivers, lakes, delta, oceans, coastal areas as well as land, mountains, forests, plants, and animals having legal personhood status appears intriguing to take forward in a broad spectrum the advocacy for climate justice action and adaptation. It is noteworthy that in recent years this new approach to the rights of nature that calls for the recognition of rivers to have their legal rights in terms of protection has started gaining momentum in different regions of the world. In 2017, the New Zealand government granted the Whanganui River personhood status. This means the Whanganui River has been recognized to have a status of living beings like persons. The legal personhood status of the Whanganui River also aims to highlight the idea of protecting the natural water resources for future generations of indigenous communities of New Zealand whose land resources were occupied during white European colonial settlement. This is to also note that in 2014, Urewera National Park the ancestral home of the Tuho’e people in the New Zealand was first granted the status of legal entity. And, in 2018, Mount Taranaki, an ancient stratovolcano which has been sacred to the indigenous tribes in New Zealand was granted the legal rights as a person. In India, our neighboring country, the River Ganga and Yamuna have also achieved the status of legal personhood from the High Court of Uttrakhand. It seems remarkable to recall Professor Christopher Stone in the USA who has also been a chief exponent of environmental advocacy and legal protection of nature. In fact, in the 1970s, it was Professor Christopher Stone who first introduced the concept of ‘environmental personhood’.

The legal rights of the river are practiced through appointing the representatives of indigenous tribes and the government. They speak for the legal personhood of the rivers. In that regard, what is remarkable to understand is that for the indigenous tribes of New Zealand such as Maori, it is the intimate and sacred human relationship with the natural world that matters. For this reason, it is the duty of the community to protect the landscape they inhabit. In the sacred relationship, the river has the role of procreation in the lives of indigenous tribes. According to their beliefs, humans and water are entwined. So, when it comes to harming the river it is akin to harming the tribe. The indigenous beliefs clearly illustrate to foreground the idea of the legal right of the river as a legal person in the indigenous tribes of New Zealand. Any kind of abuse or threat to river water such as pollution or illegal activity can be penalized. In that case, the rivers have a legal right to sue against abuses and threats to it. This points to the way humans can save nature once they tend to develop sacred relationship as well as grant legal personhood status. The rights of nature can be safeguarded when humans will stop extractive relations with nature. It is by thinking and acting through the framework of the Rights of Nature (RoN) as a legal personhood the protection of nature and the broader cause of climate action can be realized in true spirit. For instance, The Universal Declaration of River Rights illustrate five core values which could be adapted as a guiding framework to elevate the status of rivers as legal persons across the world. The core values to safeguard the rights of river stress on the right to flow, functional ecosystem, pollution free rivers, sustainable aquifers, and regeneration and restoration of rivers (Heal Earth 2022, Youtube Video). The legal personhood status ensures the rights of the river like a living entity. This approach empowers the rivers by assigning legal safeguards and actions.

The rivers need rehabilitation and regeneration for the well-being of the planet

Thus, granting legal personhood to nature is rooted in the recognition that ecology and ecosystem including rivers have a vital role on the planet Earth, and that the Rivers should be protected from environmental degradation and pollution. The rivers need rehabilitation and regeneration for the well-being of the planet. If water is polluted and endangered it eventually cause a threat to life on earth. Recognizing the legal rights of rivers is a way to ensure their preservation and safeguard the climate and ecology of Earth. Rivers play an essential role in the health of the ecosystem, protect biodiversity, and habitat and provide nutrients to numerous species. Moreover, it is essential for the fertility of soil and agro-ecology.

Rights of Nature (RoN) advocacy and Indus River  

We have discussed above a few examples of granting the legal rights of rivers in New Zealand and neighboring India. In the writing of this research article, we specifically turned to look at the status of environmental advocacy on the rights of nature and the Indus River in particular. The River Indus in Pakistan which is the main source of agriculture and livelihoods has received much attention in public forums on the issues of environmental degradation and pollution as well as the construction of mega irrigation development projects and the destruction of the Indus Delta and biodiversity such as mangrove forests and irrigated land. In this regard, the Rights of Nature (RoN) lens has special relevance when it comes to addressing the environmental crisis of the Indus River. It may be presumed that in Pakistan the voice on the issue of the environmental degradation of the river Indus indicates the ecological awareness to protect the rights of the river.  Particularly, one may witness the vibrant role of civil society in Sindh raising its voice on the protection of the river Indus.

Government in Pakistan is not cognizant and conscious of the RoN framework. However, civil society has expressed a remarkable voice on safeguarding the rights of Indus River

I, the firs author of this coproduced article, spoke to Dr. Rafique Wassan, a faculty member at the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan, in order to seek his opinion on the presence of Rights of Nature (RoN) advocacy on river Indus. Dr. Wassan has been engaged in researching art activism and the environment in Pakistan, especially in the Sindh province. I asked him how one may look at the presence of Rights of Nature (RoN) advocacy framework on the river Indus. Dr. Rafique Wassan was of the view that the government in Pakistan is not cognizant and conscious of the RoN framework. However, civil society has expressed a remarkable voice on safeguarding the rights of Indus River and one may see the vibrant role of civil society and indigenous communities in the Indus Delta in highlighting this debate. Dr. Wassan also pointed out the activist role of artists in Sindh such as Saif Samejo, founder of The Sketches Sufi music band and Lahooti Melo, among other poets and writers. They express their voice for the protection of the river Indus. Moreover, Dr. Wassan shared that in Pakistan the Seraiki language poet Dr. Ashu Lal’s creative cultural expression contains a powerful voice for the protection of the Indus River which can be illustrated as a case in point along the lines of the Rights of Nature (RoN) discourse.

Since the Rights of Nature (RoN) framework places emphasis on the legal rights and personhood of rivers, it was pertinent to seek an opinion from a faculty member of the Law Department. In this regard, we spoke to Dr. Sardar Shah who teaches at the Faculty of Law, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan. Dr. Shah has a special interest in environmental law. I was interested to seek his opinion on the awareness of the RoN framework in Law education. Dr. Sardar Shah pointed out that many subjects are introduced in L. L.B program which also includes a course on Environmental Law, but special attention is not accorded to RoN. Dr. Sardar Shah stated: “It is sad to take note of the fact of the matter that in Law education we have no sense of initiating new things and ideas. So, this is the reason our lawyers do not focus on it. Here we have a lack of and no interest in doing new research and innovation. Except for only limited research work, most of the professors at the university do research to grab job promotions.”

Dr. Shah was of the opinion that the majority of lawyers opt for professional law practice and only a few joins academia. In Dr. Shah’s view, Law professionals’ low priority accorded to academic teaching and research is one of the main reasons to engage in introducing new research-based concepts in the field of Law. He explained: “In Pakistan, the Law teaching departments and faculties continue to teach old fashioned traditional laws. They do not take efforts to change the law curriculum. It’s the issue of implementation of change in law education and practice. In the law education and profession in Pakistan, it is generally considered that it is only to become an advocate in the strict technical sense to deal with civil and criminal cases in the courts of law and to work for paid clients.  In our country there is no awareness in the law education that the advocates or law professionals can work in the field of environmental law”.

To sum up, the discussion taken up here in this research article draws attention to the crucial concept of the Rights of Nature (RoN) in the context of granting legal rights to rivers and tends to present advocacy implications to address the environment and climate change crisis on the planet Earth. We understand that the Rights of Nature framework in the current Anthropocene age has great potential to fight for nature rights on the planet Earth.

_________________

Author: Maria Memon is a BS final year student of anthropology at the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan. Email: mariamansoor78611@gmail.com 

Dr. Rafique Wassan is a faculty member at the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan. Email: rafique.wassan@usindh.edu.pk

[Note: This is coproduced research work. Maria Memon, the first author, sought the mentorship of Dr. Rafique Wassan, a faculty member at the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro]

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Ashgabat

A group of employees of the Institute of History and Archeology of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan discovered the stone remains of the first inhabitants of the Earth in the Baherden district of the Akhal region. According to Turkmen experts, the found materials belong to the Proterozoic and Paleozoic eras, reports Orient.tm.

This was reported by the chief researcher of the Institute Kakajan Bayramov in his article on the pages of the newspaper “Neutral Turkmenistan”.

The finds were discovered on Mount Gozlydag. They are the shells of ammonites and mollusks such as trigonia. They are found in this area in large numbers. The age of the remains is estimated at an average of 570-230 million years, there are also earlier finds up to 2.7 billion years old. The copies were handed over to the Institute of History and Archeology of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan.

The original goal of the 9-day scientific expedition was to study the historical, ethnographic, cultural, economic, everyday characteristics of the population of the Baherden region, to get acquainted with historical monuments, holy places, housing, crafts and folk traditions of the villagers and collect materials about them.

_________________

Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on June 28, 2023)

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 By Muhammad Haseeb Sikandar

The Moon is a well-known big bright object in space, which appears at night. Sometimes we can also see it in the daylight; but when the weather is cloudy, it becomes invisible. It gives us natural, soft and soothing moonlight, which is actually not its own light but is borrowed from the Sun. When the sun shines, its light brightens the moon and we can see it shining. When the earth comes between the moon and the sun, during its orbiter movement, the moon becomes dark for a while and the ‘Lunar Eclipse’ takes place.

People who love the moon are called ‘Selenophile’. It is said that these people carry a sensitive, beautiful and loving nature. Besides Selenophiles, almost all people love to see the moon, especially during the nights of the full moon (i.e. from the 12th to the 16th night of the moon’s journey.)

‘International Moon Day’ is celebrated on the 20th of July every year. This International day celebrates the historic lunar landing on July 20, 1969, by Neil Armstrong and his team.

The United States’ mission ‘Apollo 11’ was the first crewed mission from Earth to the moon, which touched the surface of the moon on this day 53 years ago. There were 6 crewed U.S. landings between the years 1969 and 1972 and numerous landings having no crew, with no soft landings till 2017. ‘Apollo 11’, led by ‘Neil Armstrong’, accompanied by ‘Buzz Aldrin’ and ‘Michael Collins’ blasted off on July 16, 1969, which successfully landed after 4 days of its’ flight, i.e. July 20 and stayed on the moon’s surface for less than 24 hours (21 hours, 36 minutes) and returned home on July 24, 1969. The total flight duration of ‘Apollo 11’ from Earth to the moon and back to earth was 8 days, 3 hours, and 18 minutes.

Different people from various nations, speaking multiple languages, know Mr. Moon with its different names. It is called ‘Moon’ in English, ‘Qamar’ in Arabic, ‘Chandra’ and ‘Maas’ in Hindi, ‘Maah’ in Persian, ‘Mond’ in German, ‘Luna’ in Latin, ‘Maan’ in African Language, ‘Messe’ in Japanese, ‘Ay’ in Turkish and many more various names in different languages.

The moon’s average distance from the earth is 2 Lac, 38 thousand 8 hundred 65 miles, and the moonlight takes approximately 1.26 seconds to reach Earth’s surface. This means it is 1.26 light minutes away from the earth and the moon, which we see from earth is 1 minute and 26 seconds older. The moon is about one 4th of the earth’s size (diameter). It is exactly 27% of the earth’s thickness.

Please don’t forget that there are 214 moons (155 confirmed moons) in our solar system, orbiting the planets, which are also called ‘Natural Satellites’. In this count, earth owns the one and only, Mars has 2, Jupiter has 79 (53 confirmed), Saturn has 82 (53 confirmed), Uranus has 27, Neptune has 14, and Pluto has 5 moons; whereas Mercury and Venus possess no moons and these both are ‘Moon-less.’

Happy ‘International Moon Day’ to mankind, because it celebrates a great achievement of humanity.

_________________

Muhammad Haseeb Sikandar is an adolescent writer aged 13, and this is his debut write-up. He is a student of class 8 at ‘Sindhiana Bright Beginnings High School’ in Hyderabad, Sindh. ‘Sindh Courier’ welcomes this young writer and wishes him success in his writing journey.

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