Environmental Responsibility

Prince Hussain and Princess Fareen arrived in Calgary earlier this week for the Canadian debut of The Living Sea – Fragile Beauty — an exhibition featuring photography by Prince Hussain, celebrating the beauty and vulnerability of the oceans.

Last May, record temperatures provoked a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in northern Pakistan, sweeping away bridges and villages in the valley below the Shishper glacier. Higher up the mountains, the semi-nomadic Wakhi were leading their yaks to summer pastures. Their traditional lifestyle has been heavily impacted by climate change. Season 2, Episode 9 of Voices from the Roof of the World, entitled “Cry from the Mountains” explores GLOFs and their effects in northern Pakistan.

The increased cost of energy and the use of fossil fuels are creating increasing financial and health impacts on households and businesses. This is due to the increasing demand for and the limited supply of energy sources, as well as the use of carbon-based fuels to generate energy. This can lead not only to an increase in prices of goods and services but also effects on mental and physical health.

Ahead of its 40th anniversary celebrations this year, the Aga Khan University (AKU) recently launched its inaugural President’s Challenge for Climate Solutions, offering young people a platform to engage in climate action.

We often hear about the negative impacts of plastic on the environment, and now research has shown its detrimental effect on human health. What does our dependence on plastic hold for the future, and how can we reduce our consumption?