rki.news
Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR (AJK): — Oct. 25 ; At a time when climate change and rising temperatures pose an increasing threat to vulnerable communities, young research scholar Ali Abbas Arshad from Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, is emerging as a promising voice for climate action through innovation, research and youth-led community initiatives.
An A-Level student, Ali founded SolarTune four years ago with a vision to develop affordable, solar-powered cooling solutions for people most exposed to extreme heat. Driven by a commitment to environmental sustainability and community welfare, he has transformed this vision into a practical initiative aimed at protecting outdoor workers and underserved communities from heat-related risks.
Under his leadership, SolarTune has brought together a dedicated team of 20 young innovators and volunteers to design and develop accessible cooling technologies. The initiative has distributed more than 150 solar-powered cooling caps, providing practical support to people working in high-temperature environments while demonstrating the potential of youth-led innovation in addressing local climate challenges.Beyond technological development, Ali has placed considerable emphasis on public awareness and climate education. Through seminars, workshops and community outreach programmes, SolarTune seeks to educate people about climate change, extreme heat and associated health risks, encouraging communities to adopt preventive measures and become active participants in climate resilience efforts.
The initiative has also extended its outreach beyond Pakistan through a youth ambassador network in Thailand and Uzbekistan, reflecting its growing international engagement. Ali has represented Pakistan as a youth speaker at international conferences, including events in Thailand and Morocco, where he has advocated grassroots climate solutions, meaningful youth participation and stronger protection for communities disproportionately affected by climate change.
Through SolarTune, Ali Abbas Arshad is demonstrating how young people can translate innovative ideas into community-focused action. His journey reflects the growing role of youth in climate leadership and highlights the potential of locally developed, affordable technologies to contribute to a more sustainable and climate-resilient future. Ends.
Editorial note: This Correspondent have retained the description young research scholar as requested. If Ali has a specific research affiliation, publication or formal research project, adding that information would strengthen the academic profile and distinguish him from a general youth climate activist.
