Climate change will affect all; far more critical than the Covid challenge: VP
Saturday, 28 October 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that sustainable development and containing climate change are essential for a secure future. Cautioning that these challenges in a sense are existential, he said that it’ll be difficult to survive on the planet if development is not sustainable. Addressing the valedictory ceremony of United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF)- Country Led Initiative by India at the Forest Research Institute here on Friday, he said that the climate challenge will not affect an individual but the entire planet. Dhankhar called for mustering all energy and all resources to find the solution. “Like Covid-19, which was a non-discriminatory challenge to every part of the globe, climate change is far more critical and severe than the Covid challenge,” he opined. He emphasised the need to strike a delicate balance between development and conservation, ensuring that forests continue to thrive while meeting the development requirements of citizens. Noting that forests are the lifeline of millions of citizens, especially the tribal communities, he underscored that “conservation, though critical and crucial, cannot be isolated from the well-being of communities that rely on forest resources.” Stressing the need to nurture and preserve biodiversity, he said that we are merely trustees at the moment and cannot afford to compromise our future generations with our reckless approach and exploitation of natural resources.
Describing the synergetic global stance as the only option for resolution of environmental challenges, Dhankhar said, “One country cannot find a solution. There will have to be convergence of countries on a war footing to find a solution.” Mentioning that forests provide a carbon sink that absorbs up 2.4 billion metric tonnes of carbon each year, the Vice President emphasised the need to realise that forests are a climate solution. “Our forests are not merely a resource but also encompass the cultural, spiritual and intellectual heritage of the country,” he added.
Stressing the need to ensure there is rejuvenation and nurturing of village pastures and ponds that are essential to village life and cattle, Dhankhar called for generating awareness among rural masses on these issues of vital importance. Recognising that energy has become another method of weaponisation in the global arena, he listed various steps taken by India towards clean energy generation. Expressing India’s commitment to clean energy, he stated that by 2030, half of the nation’s electricity will be generated from renewable sources.
Citing the National Green Hydrogen Mission as a visionary initiative, the Vice President noted that this offers avenues for employment, for entrepreneurs, and takes care of the challenges of climate change and environment.
Talking about the forest fires/wildfires, he said that despite technological advancements, even developed countries are facing this problem. Calling for a multi-layered approach to address this problem, he listed technology, awareness generation and sustenance of forests in the right manner as some of the steps to mitigate wildfires.
Uttarakhand governor lieutenant general (retd) Gurmit Singh, UNFF director Juliette Biao Koudenoukpo, director general of forests Chandra Prakash Goyal and delegates from various countries and organisations were also present on the occasion.
