Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy launches Pakistan's Climate Change Heroes to start a conversation on environment

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's production house SOC Films has launched its first publication Pakistan's Climate Change Heroes, which is a film and book series aimed to a spark a conversation on the issue that's becoming more relevant and pressing by the day. It also celebrates the work of Pakistanis who are committed to the cause and are working to relieve people from "one of the greatest crises of our time."

"We are extremely excited to launch our first publication at SOC films under our SOCH outreach initiative," the filmmaker captioned her Instagram post announcing the launch. "This book authored by Rumana Hussain profiles 14 climate change heroes across the country who are working to create change in their communities. Their awareness programs are laying the seeds for a generation of climate change warriors."

The book was launched at an event with Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman by Canada's High Commissioner to Pakistan Wendy Gilmour as part of their initiative in the north. Hussain, the author SOC Films partnered with for the children's book, is an educator who has worked on over 60 children's books.

The 14 climate change heroes chosen for the book consist of men and women who've made the alleviation of the crisis their life's mission and are striving to utilise the available resources and strategies for the best possible outcome.

“The heroes profiled in this book are the men and women who are trying to save our land, and all that walks and grows on it, flies over it, swims in its waters. They range from the very young to the middle-aged. In writing this book, I have had the privilege of speaking to them and learning more about them, and I hope that you will be as inspired by them as I am,” said Husain on writing the book.

The corresponding film series for Pakistan’s Climate Change Heroes highlights the work and efforts of five of these heroes: Safdar Hussain from Balochistan, Gulab Shah from Sindh, Asif Murad and Rehmat Ali Dost from Chitral, and Amanullah Khan from Gilgit-Baltistan.

The filmmaker shared what her motivation was for the launch of the book and film series. “It is extremely important to start a conversation with children across Pakistan about the state of our planet and the fact that Pakistan is one of the top 10 countries to be hit hardest by climate change. I hope that this book plays its part in initiating dialogue around the climate emergency, and inspires us to follow in the footsteps of these heroes.”

Obaid-Chinoy said that the book and films will be shared free of cost with schools and libraries across the country. Requests for a copy of the book can be made on www.socfilms.com. The films have already been screened to more than 5,000 children nationwide.