Mukhtar Amanbayuly: Young people not only talk about environmental and climate issues but also actively take action

In the spring of this year, Kazakhstan faced unprecedented floods and serious consequences from them. Thousands of houses were flooded and dozens of settlements were cut off.

It should be noted that floods are an annual natural disaster for Central Asian countries. One of the main reasons is climate change. We talked to Mukhtar Amanbayuly, an expert on climate change and coordinator of the Local Conference of Youth on Climate Change.

Good afternoon, Mukhtar Amanbayuly! Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed!

In his April address, the President called floods in the country the largest natural disaster in the last 80 years. What can you say about the flood situation in Kazakhstan?

I fully agree with the President who called the floods in Kazakhstan the largest natural disaster in the last 80 years. This natural disaster has brought significant destruction and disaster to many regions of the country. Floods have affected thousands and destroyed infrastructure, homes, and agricultural land.

The situation calls for coordinated action at all levels of government and society to minimize the damage and help those affected. We must also focus on developing and implementing effective measures to prevent similar disasters in the future, including improving water drainage systems and defences.

How significantly has global warming affected floods in Kazakhstan?

Global warming has significantly affected the flood situation in Kazakhstan, increasing their frequency and intensity. The increase in temperature leads to greater evaporation of water and, consequently, an increase in precipitation. Abnormally heavy rains are observed in some regions of Kazakhstan, which provokes floods.

In addition, due to increased temperatures and precipitation, water levels in rivers and reservoirs are rising, increasing the risk of flooding. Global warming has significantly increased the flood situation in Kazakhstan, making it more unpredictable and destructive.

The impact of climate change is particularly noticeable in mountainous areas, where glacier melt is accelerating. This increases the volume of water flowing into rivers, which also contributes to flooding. Warming is affecting the seasonality of river flows by changing the traditional flood periods. Early melting of snow and ice can lead to spring floods that are more intense and unpredictable.

In your opinion, what other environmental problems await us soon?

In my opinion, several significant environmental problems caused by climate change and anthropogenic activities await us in the near future. Firstly, drought and water scarcity will become a major threat. With climate change, many regions will face prolonged periods of drought, which will lead to water scarcity and have serious impacts on agriculture, drinking water supply and ecosystems, as well as widen the socio-economic gap.

Secondly, deteriorating air quality will become a serious problem. With increasing urbanisation and industrial production, we can expect the air quality in cities to deteriorate, leading to an increase in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. In large cities, residents already suffer from allergies and upper respiratory diseases.

In addition, the loss of biodiversity will be another important environmental problem. Climate change and the destruction of natural habitats will lead to the extinction of many animal and plant species, disrupting ecosystems and their functioning.

Also, the increased frequency of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes and heavy downpours will lead to more destruction and loss of life. One example of this is also leashes.

Sea level rise also poses a serious threat. The continued melting of polar ice and glaciers will inundate coastal areas and displace millions of people. Land misuse and climate change will lead to desertification in many regions, especially in arid zones, reducing fertile land and affecting food security. Some small states in tropical regions may go completely underwater. For example, Tuvalu is going underwater due to global warming and rising sea levels.

Could the environment become the next biggest challenge for the Central Asian region?

I think that ecology may become the next biggest problem in the Central Asian region. First of all, it is related to water scarcity. Water resources are already scarce, and climate change is exacerbating this problem. Shrinking glaciers in the Tien Shan and Pamir Mountains are reducing the volume of water in rivers such as the Syr Darya and Amu Darya, jeopardizing the water supply for millions of people in the region.

In addition, the region is prone to desertification. Improper land use, overgrazing and climate change are leading to soil degradation and decreasing fertile land, threatening agriculture and food security.

Also, in large cities such as Almaty and Tashkent, air pollution levels are increasing due to industrial production, transport and the use of low-quality fuel. This worsens the health of the population and increases the number of respiratory diseases.

Another significant problem is waste management. Rapid urbanization and population growth lead to an increase in the amount of waste, and insufficient infrastructure for waste treatment and disposal leads to soil and water pollution.

As a result, ecology may indeed become the biggest problem of the Central Asian region soon. Only through joint efforts can we meet these challenges and ensure a sustainable future for the region.

What can you say about the involvement of our youth and youth movements in environmental and climate issues?

We actively involve young people in discussing and developing projects aimed at combating climate change and improving the environmental situation. Young people from different regions of Central Asia come together to discuss pressing environmental issues, propose innovative solutions and develop the skills needed to implement them.

I am the coordinator of the Local Conference of Youth on Climate Change supported by YOUNGO and also part of United Central Asian Professionals. The involvement of our youth and youth movements in environmental and climate issues is becoming more and more significant and active. Young people recognize the importance of these issues and are keen to contribute to their solution. Our conferences and events provide a platform for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and experiences. We try to travel to different regions and raise awareness of the issue through different ways: we hold lectures, play climate games and show films focusing on environmental issues.

We also cooperate with international organizations and local authorities to ensure that our initiatives are put into practice. It is important to note that young people are not only talking about problems, but are also active. We see examples of young people organizing clean-up campaigns, engaging in environmental education programs and participating in scientific research. Their enthusiasm and energy inspire us all and give us hope for a better future.

Thank you very much for the interview! And lastly, what would you like to say and wish to the young people of Kazakhstan?

My wishes to you are to be active and not indifferent. Don't be afraid to take responsibility and be leaders in your communities. Learn, develop and share your knowledge with others. It is important not only to recognize problems, but also to take concrete steps to solve them. Your ideas, your actions and your enthusiasm can make a difference in the world. In the face of global environmental and climate challenges, it is you who can lead change, initiate projects and innovate to help us meet these challenges.

Remember that every one of you can contribute to the preservation of our planet. Your efforts, even at the local level, can have a global impact. Work together, support each other and strive for common goals. Your energy and commitment to change is what the world needs right now.

I wish you success, inspiration and fortitude. May your initiatives bear fruit and your labor be recognized and appreciated.