Monday, 06 June 2022 | PNS | Dehradun
The world is ready to be led by India in its fight against climate change- a concern that like the pandemic the world is going through; knows no borders, respects no wealth or any other artificial human division. The responsibility to equip for fulfilling this leadership role lies on the shoulders of women and men of our scientific community. Union minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh made this statement while addressing scientists at the Indian Institute of Petroleum here on Sunday.
Singh said that it was a happy coincidence on the World Environment Day that he was at an institution that represents the commitment of a modern and new India to protect the environment and find alternate indigenous sources of energy.
“We have already achieved our commitment of 40 per cent energy production from renewable sources, way ahead of the 2030 Paris Agreement target. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the global climate movement and other world leaders have followed suit. Apart from the thrust on renewable energy from solar and hydel, the Prime Minister announced major strides in hydrogen energy from the ramparts of the Red Fort recently. This lays out the roadmap of our collective intention to fight for preserving the environment,” said Singh.
As a former researcher, the Union minister said, one must speak with evidence in mind. He said that the project by CSIR-IIP for creating bio-diesel from waste cooking oil is one of many examples at the CSIR lab which demonstrate our national intent. He urged the scientific community to work towards making it a mass movement. Singh said it must dawn on our people that they can make Rs 30 per litre from waste cooking oil that they routinely throw out.
The minister added that we know now that we throw out more carbon than we need for our energy. Innovative ways to use this waste would meet the twin goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India. The curiosity engendered in the masses would lead to awareness and that will lead to the application of science and ease of living, he added.
