#IndusCast

The Indus basin remains the lifeline of Pakistan, as the Indus River provides the country with its unique identity. As one of the oldest civilizations in the world, the Indus River and its tributaries have shaped Pakistan’s rich and diverse culture. Social, political, and above all, economic lifestyles are directly associated with the Indus. The 2022 floods have highlighted not only the significance of this water system but also the living proof that millions across Pakistan are solely dependent on the well-being of the #LivingIndus.

Due to multiple factors, Indus is faced with numerous challenges. High usage of water, population overgrowth, mismanagement of water, centuries-old irrigation systems, diversions, erecting dams, and unequal distribution are some of the issues that greatly impact the #LivingIndus. Environmental degradation of the Indus River and other wetlands in Pakistan has created additional health risks for the population. The river also receives a wide range of industrial waste, organic matter, and ions such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, carbonates, bicarbonates, and chloride, as well as inorganic waste.

Setting out priorities for achieving climate-resilient development for the country through mainstreaming climate change in the economically and socially vulnerable sectors of the country is urgently needed. However, in an era of mistrust, rumors, and media avoidance, constructive opinion-building for the development of democracy and democratic institutions is quite a gigantic task. Therefore, to find the gap in focused, trusted, and people-centric information and awareness on Climate Change, Power99 Foundation in collaboration with its International partner #DWA,

DW Akademie, brought together a group of journalists, broadcasters, and vloggers with diverse languages and geographical backgrounds, spreading from north to south and east to west of Pakistan, and formed the (CCJN) #ConstructiveClimateJournalistNetwork.

The objectives of the #CCJN Network are to create content, syndicate and collaborate for the #GreenRepository, conduct research on climate change, and build the capacity of media professionals and educators.

#IndusCast #Podcast   series, radio programs, video reports, and interviews in national and regional languages are small steps to support the Government of Pakistan’s efforts to fulfill its commitment under SDG 13 “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”: SDG 15 “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”; and SDG 17 “Global partnership for sustainable development”