Over 1,400 people are dead, half a million displaced, and 33 million affected by the worst floods in Pakistan in over a decade.
Roads, homes and crops have been washed away in a disaster of unimaginable proportions.
By some estimates, a third of the country will be underwater by the time the rains end.
Extreme weather patterns are becoming more and more frequent in Pakistan. Rain this year is running at more than 780% above average levels.
Compounding the situation are rapidly melting glaciers. There are over 7,532 of these in Pakistan, more than anywhere else on Earth outside the polar regions.
While the Pakistani people suffer these climate related disasters, they bear little responsibility. Pakistan produces 0.5% of global emissions and ranks 152nd in the world in per capita emissions.
The people facing down the barrel of floods, crop destruction and displacement now are not to blame for this – they are bearing the brunt of the crimes of capitalism.
As the rains continue to fall, the fossil fuel industry continues to extract oil, gas and coal. Governments continue to set inadequate targets for emission reductions, before failing to meet even these meagre goals.
The profits of major corporations continue to soar while ordinary people around the world – and particularly in the Global South – suffer the consequences.
In the immediate term, on top of international aid, the international community should be calling for the cancellation of Pakistan’s national debt as a way of allowing Pakistan to prioritise helping its population.
And if we want to have any hope of salvaging a future for the people on this planet, we need to start fighting now for ecosocialist solutions. Capitalism cannot cure the catastrophes it creates.
Join the fight – Get involved with People Before Profit.
