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.