The theme of Ecologies and Sustainable Futures could not be more timely for a country like Pakistan, which is facing one of the most severe environmental crises in the world. Pakistan ranks eighth on the Global Climate Risk Index, indicating its vulnerability to climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves. According to the World Bank, Pakistan has lost over 10,000 lives to climate-related disasters in the last two decades. The devastating floods of 2022, which displaced millions and caused billions of dollars in damage, were a grim reminder of the severity of the situation.
In terms of environmental degradation, Pakistan faces a myriad of challenges. The country’s forest cover is alarmingly low, at just around 4%, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), far below the recommended global standard of 25%. This deforestation is driven by illegal logging, urban expansion, and land clearing for agriculture, which in turn has led to soil erosion and reduced agricultural productivity. Additionally, air pollution in major cities like Lahore and Karachi consistently ranks among the worst in the world. Lahore, in particular, often finds itself on the list of cities with the highest levels of air pollution, with its smog levels creating hazardous living conditions during the winter months.
Water scarcity is another major issue, with Pakistan projected to face absolute water scarcity by 2025 if current trends continue. According to the United Nations, Pakistan is among the top 10 countries most affected by water stress. The mismanagement of water resources, coupled with rising demand due to population growth and urbanization, has created a critical situation that threatens the country’s agriculture and energy sectors, which are heavily reliant on water.
Finally, the country’s waste management system is severely lacking. A report by the World Bank indicates that only around 60% of solid waste is collected in urban areas, and an even smaller percentage is properly disposed of or recycled. The remainder often ends up in open dumps, contributing to land pollution, water contamination, and public health crises.
Art as a Catalyst for Change
Despite these dire environmental statistics, the Lahore Biennale seeks to use art as a catalyst for change, fostering critical discussions that can inspire both policy changes and public action. The integration of art with ecological themes is an effort to make environmental issues more accessible and engaging to a broader audience. Artists can bring attention to these challenges in a way that data and statistics alone cannot, encouraging viewers to reflect on their relationship with nature and the environment.
While there are still questions surrounding the true impact of such cultural events in addressing complex environmental crises, LB03 nonetheless represents a critical space for dialogue. By bringing together voices from the art world, environmental activism, and indigenous communities, the Biennale aims to offer not just an artistic experience but also a platform for imagining possible solutions to the environmental challenges that Pakistan—and the world—are facing.
As the Lahore Biennale prepares for its October 2024 opening, the event promises to be a milestone in Pakistan’s cultural calendar. Amidst the controversies and challenges, the focus on ecology and sustainability remains a critical conversation that will resonate with audiences both locally and internationally. Whether the Biennale can translate its artistic explorations into tangible environmental action remains to be seen, but it is certainly an event that holds the potential to shape future discussions on art, culture, and sustainability in Pakistan.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance
