Afghanistan battles climate change amid foreign aid cutoff

The Taliban are tackling climate change independently while debating its origins as divine will or a foreign plot.

Rick Noack reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

The Taliban attended an international climate conference in Jalalabad, but few foreign guests showed up, reflecting Afghanistan's isolation.
Afghanistan faces severe climate challenges, with flash floods and droughts causing widespread damage.
The Taliban are integrating climate action into religious teachings, urging mosques to promote environmental protection.

Key quote:

"Just like they invaded our country, they’ve invaded our climate. We must defend our climate, our water, our soil to the same extent we defend ourselves against invasions."

— Lutfullah Khairkhwa, Taliban's deputy higher education minister

Why this matters:

Afghanistan's climate vulnerabilities are worsening without international aid, leading to significant human and environmental costs. The Taliban's approach intertwines religious beliefs with urgent climate actions, reflecting a unique adaptation strategy.

www.washingtonpost.com

Afghanistan battles climate change amid foreign aid cutoff

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