We generally measure climate change through carbon emission graphs, global warming statistics, or images of melting glaciers. However, in light of recent research by climate scientist Friederike Otto, published in the British media outlet The Guardian, it becomes clear that climate change is not merely a ‘scientific problem’- it is, in fact, a deep and escalating crisis of justice.
Where Physics Ends, the Crisis Begins
Modern science can now determine with precision how much human activity has intensified weather patterns. However, science cannot explain why the same amount of rainfall merely causes a waterlogging nuisance on the streets of London, while washing away the homes of thousands in Dhaka or Lagos.
The difference lies not in the science of weather, but in the political and economic structures of society. When a natural disaster strikes, it cannot be measured solely by the volume of rain or the speed of the wind. That disaster reflects our existing poverty, gender inequality, and historical power structures.
Are ‘Natural Disasters’ Truly Natural?
There is a maxim in climate science: a disaster occurs only when Hazard, Exposure, and Vulnerability intersect. Labeling droughts in Africa or coastal cyclones in Bangladesh simply as “natural disasters” obscures the truth. Weak infrastructure, lack of early warning systems, and the unequal distribution of resources are what transform a weather event into a catastrophe. Calling it “natural” essentially absolves policymakers of their accountability.
Climate Impact at the Heart of Inequality
Research shows that famines caused by droughts or floods are often influenced more by social context than by climate change itself. Gender inequality, in particular, exacerbates this crisis. When a pregnant woman is forced to labor in a field during extreme heatwaves, or when women are sidelined from receiving financial aid, climate change becomes a tool of gender-based exploitation.
Historical Responsibility and the Global South
Climate injustice is a global moral crisis. The nations of the Global South, which have contributed the least to global carbon emissions, are paying the highest price today. At the root of this crisis lies colonial history. In many cases, the control of climate research remains in the hands of developed nations in the North, who often overlook the social and historical realities of the South.
The Bangladesh Context: A living Injustice
The picture of this injustice is vivid in Bangladesh. The people of our coastal and riverine regions- who have never worked in large factories or led luxurious lives- are the ones being displaced by river erosion and salinity. Here, climate change is not just a rise in temperature; it is the stripping away of a marginalized person’s right to live.
A Human-Centric Solution
Relying solely on technology or science to tackle climate change will not suffice. While international climate discussions remain confined to the limits of 1.5°C or 2°C, we must remember that behind every degree lies the survival of millions of people.
Climate policymaking is no longer just an economic analysis; it is a moral choice. If we cannot restructure our social and economic frameworks on the foundation of justice, we may save the planet with science, but we will fail to save humanity.
International Press Agency Pressenza believes it is time to rethink climate change. This is not just about a warming planet; it is the ultimate test of our humanity and sense of justice.
Leaders from Central Asia and neighbouring countries issued a stark warning on Wednesday that the global shift to a low-carbon economy risks deepening inequality unless it is managed fairly, with stronger support for developing countries that have contributed least to climate change but face some of its most severe consequences.
At the Regional Ecological Summit summit in Astana on April 22, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed that climate policy must not come at the expense of development, calling for a more balanced and inclusive approach from the international community.
“Developed nations have reached their current level through years of industry,” Tokayev said. “From my perspective, selected approaches should not be accepted on ecological matters. The transition must be fair and balanced.”
He warned against policies that could constrain growth in emerging economies. “We must allow countries to move forward without compromising opportunities for development and progress,” he said. “There should be no naming, shaming or blaming.”
Tokayev framed environmental cooperation as inseparable from global stability. “These efforts should work for peace and just development,” he said. “Nature can exist without geopolitics — and geopolitics cannot exist without nature.”
The Kazakh leader emphasised the shared risks facing the region. “We share rivers, landscapes and climate risks, and most importantly we share responsibility,” he said, listing water scarcity, desertification, air pollution and biodiversity loss among the most pressing challenges. “The time for making solutions has come.”
Unequal burden
His comments were echoed by other leaders, who pointed to mounting environmental damage despite their countries’ relatively small contributions to global emissions.
Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said climate change was accelerating across Central Asia, with visible and measurable impacts.
“Nearly one third of glaciers have been lost in the region,” Mirziyoyev said. “Precipitation patterns are increasingly erratic, water shortages are growing, and land degradation now affects 80 million hectares.”
He criticised what he described as a gap between global commitments and real action. “Declarations and calls for action are not backed by action,” he said. “Once again, the countries that have contributed the least to climate change are left to face the consequences on their own.”
Mirziyoyev called for concrete support mechanisms. “There must be international solidarity,” he said. “Developing countries must have access to climate finance and advanced technologies.”
Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan highlighted the vulnerability of mountainous countries, noting that Armenia contributes just 0.02% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
“As a mountain country, Armenia already faces serious impacts of climate change,” he said. “The average temperature has increased and is expected to continue rising by mid-century.”
He pointed to a rise in extreme weather events. “Climate change has led to more floods and ecological losses,” Khachaturyan said. “Like other mountain states, our country is vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation.”
Khachaturyan called for more focus on those most at risk. “We want to prioritise the most vulnerable developing countries, including mountainous ones,” he said. “Together we can protect our planet and ensure long-term resilience for our societies.”
Economic toll
Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov described a growing economic toll from climate impacts, warning that the country’s development prospects are increasingly under threat.
“Climate-related challenges are affecting economic development and the wellbeing of our people,” Japarov said. “Kyrgyzstan accounts for only 0.3% of greenhouse gas emissions and at the same time bears a disproportionately heavy burden.”
He cited a sharp increase in natural disasters. “Mudflows and floods have tripled since 2020, causing almost $16 million in damage annually,” he said.
Japarov warned of long-term risks tied to glacier loss. “There has been a 16% decrease in glacier coverage, and by 2100 we may lose up to 80% of our glaciers,” he said. “This would be catastrophic not only for our country but for the entire region.”
He added that water systems are already under strain. “The water level in Lake Issyk-Kul has dropped, and the number of rivers flowing into it has decreased from over 100 to just 30,” he said.
Kyrgyzstan’s reliance on hydropower adds further pressure. “Our energy sector relies on hydropower, which is already facing growing winter shortages,” Japarov said, warning that inaction could reduce GDP by 2-3% by 2040.
Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon described water scarcity as a global crisis requiring urgent cooperation.
“Water scarcity and environmental degradation have become a humongous challenge not just regionally but worldwide,” Rahmon said. “This undoubtedly requires joint and coordinated efforts.”
He noted that Tajikistan is the source of around 60% of Central Asia’s water resources but is facing rapid environmental change.
“Of about 14,000 glaciers, around 1,400 have completely disappeared,” he said. “We are concerned about ever-retreating glaciers and smaller and smaller snowfalls … The intensification of glacier retreat is creating a whole set of threats to the environment and leading to disturbances in water supply.”
He also highlighted a sharp rise in extreme weather events. “In 2025, there were over 60 dust storms lasting a total of about seven months. This has never happened before. In the early 1990s, there were only two or three such episodes per year.”
Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh said his country’s fragile ecosystems are already under strain.
“Mongolia is located in high mountain territories with eternal snow, glaciers and permafrost,” he said. “Our unique but vulnerable system has already experienced the impact of 21st century changes, including water scarcity and environmental degradation.”
He warned of severe future shortages. “By 2050, water resources may fall by 50%,” Khürelsükh said. “We have a common challenge in the scarcity of drinking water and the need to protect mountainous ecosystems.”
Returning to the global context, Tokayev said environmental challenges are unfolding against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tension.
“We meet at a time of growing uncertainties and unpredictability,” he said. “These deeply affect global and regional stability and the quality of life of millions of people. They undermine development and divert resources away from environmental challenges.”
He called for stronger international governance, and warned against selective approaches to global rules. “The role of the international community does really matter,” Tokayev said. “The UN Charter must be preserved. We should avoid the selective application of the UN Charter to military conflicts. From my perspective, selected approaches should not be accepted on ecological matters either.”
Tokayev said the scale of current change is unprecedented. “We have entered an era of transformation of such nature and scale that it is unprecedented and therefore unpredictable,” he said.
He also stressed that environmental policy should be understood in human terms. “Ecology is not limited to climate alone. It is about human livelihood, clean air, safe water, healthy food and secure food systems. Ecology is a way of living responsibly on our shared planet.”
Kazakhstan pushes for regional cooperation on climate as threats increase
Kazakhstan’s ecology minister has called for deeper cooperation across Central Asia to tackle shared environmental issues, as the region faces increasing threats from climate change. Speaking on April 21, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Yerlan Nyssanbayev said the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 that opens on April 22 would serve as a platform to forge practical solutions to cross-border challenges ranging from water scarcity to climate change.
“Today ecological agenda is not only about conserving the nature,” Nyssanbayev told a briefing with journalists in Astana. “The water resources, glaciers, soil degradation, air quality, sustainable agriculture, preserving biodiversity and the future of the Caspian Sea are directly related to economy, health, food security and sustainability of the countries.”
He stressed that environmental risks in Central Asia are inherently transnational. “These ecological challenges know no borders. Desertification, climate change, cross-border rivers and ecosystem condition impact several countries at once,” he said. “That is why the solutions should be developed in collaboration.”
The summit, he said, reflects a broader shift in regional thinking. “The main value of this summit is it transfers all these issues from discussion level to practical coordination level,” Nyssanbayev said. “It’s not only about political statements but about practical decisions, new technologies, partnerships, investments between countries, business and international organisations.”
Kazakhstan, he added, is positioning itself as a facilitator rather than simply a host. “For Kazakhstan, conducting this summit is … about showing readiness to promote the joint agenda, to provide a platform for joint decisions and strengthen regional cooperation based on trust and mutual benefit.”
The minister said Central Asia in particular requires collaborative approaches in several key areas. “This region needs coordinated approaches to water safety, to climate adaptation, to ecosystem protection and modernising economy,” he said. “The summit creates a platform where ecology will be a basis for trust, partnership and longstanding cooperation.”
He added that the event would extend engagement beyond Central Asia. “From a broader dimension it also opens opportunity for dialogue with other countries including Trans-Caucasian countries,” he said.
Among the most pressing concerns is the future of the Caspian Sea, which Nyssanbayev said is already being affected by rising temperatures. “The Caspian is affected by global warming. Because of the increase in temperature the evaporation levels are increasing,” he told journalists.
He pointed to existing frameworks for cooperation, including regional agreements among littoral states. “Jointly all the Caspian Sea countries are monitoring the condition and we exchange data,” he said. “We need to jointly work on developing some proposals, suggestions to stop these problems.”
Kazakhstan has set out its own long-term climate strategy, targeting carbon neutrality by 2060. Nyssanbayev said this includes sector-specific measures across energy, industry, agriculture and waste management, as well as mechanisms such as green finance and a just transition.
“We updated and approved our indices with the aim to reduce emissions by 17% by 2035 in comparison with 1990,” he said.
However, the scale of the challenge remains significant, particularly in the energy sector. “Nowadays the energy sector is responsible for up to 80% of all emissions in Kazakhstan,” Nyssanbayev said. “That’s why our main goal right now is to modernise the energy sector to stabilise the situation in our ecology.”
He added that tackling methane emissions is also a priority. “Global warming is affecting all countries and we need to work on our methane emissions too,” he said.
Financing remains a major constraint. “All these actions need financing, and we made preliminary estimation in order to achieve our goal on carbon neutrality by 2060 we need about $600bn,” Nyssanbayev said. “The government is investing in this and the private sector is also investing in modernising the energy sector, but still this issue is very important.”
Kazakhstan has already implemented market-based mechanisms to curb emissions. “There is an emission trading system which has worked since 2013 and it covers almost half of the national emissions in the energy, chemicals and mining and metallurgy sectors,” he said.
The country is now seeking closer alignment with international systems. “We are working on integrating our system with the European system and developing projects on deforestation and carbon land management,” he said. “We are also implementing measures in accordance with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to enter into the international carbon market.”
Nyssanbayev said such steps would help Kazakhstan meet its climate targets while contributing to broader global efforts. “All these steps will help us achieve ambitious climate objectives and promote global sustainability,” he said.
Looking ahead to the summit, he stressed the need for a shift in mindset among regional partners. “The main position of the summit is that countries of the region should not only talk about challenges we face in this area but about joint solutions we can come up with,” he said.
