A public discussion by Ashok Pandey, National Coordinator, Climate Education, CRPI
As the UN completed 75 years and the world leaders met virtually, Mr Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General reminded the world on Sept22 that COVID19 is a dress rehearsal for the challenges to come- The pandemic has taught us that our choices matter and therefore, let us make sure that we choose wisely. The climate crisis is the next big challenge. The super exceeding carbon gases in the atmosphere are drastically changing the hydrological cycle, heating the oceans, and causing severe floods, rains and human misery. The worst sufferers are the poor.
On October 11, 2020, people from across the globe, students, teachers, parents, climate activists, members of civil society delved into the depth of the need of the hour; Changing the 'Climate Change'. The presentation was one of the 1500 such presentations across the globe during '24 Hours of Reality', a global event organised on October, 11. The programme is initiated by the former US Vice President Al Gore, Founder and Chairman of The Climate Reality.
The theme of the presentation revolved around one defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, racial inequities, and the climate crisis - and the actions we can take to help create a better future. The science and data-driven research evidence was shared about how different sectors are responsible for the overall global warming. Three questions were raised to the discerning audience. Must we change?, Can We Change? and Will we change? The compelling evidence shared resulted in a resounding YES. Rabbi Ezekiel Isaac Malekar, general secretary and head priest of the Jewish community, shared touching anecdotes from his experience in Israel. Every citizen in Israel is encouraged to plant a tree on their birthdays, Mr Malekar said. He also shared that the girls in Israel plant a tree as they reach puberty and the leaves of the grown-up tree are used to decorate their marriage pavilion. Ms Marie Elangovan, a renowned Bharatanatyam exponent, also talked about her initiatives.
While revisiting planet earth through the lens of climate change, she reiterated that “if each of us is part of the problem, we should also be part of the solution." This was a welcome viewpoint as too often; the climate change scenario is looked upon in a pessimistic way and portrayed as irreversible.
The scientific perspective gave the audience a sense of hope. It empowered participants to believe that, together, we can and will make a change. Global awareness is on the rise, and the presentation proved that we have the resources to reverse the negative impacts of climate change on our planet.
Ms Marie asserted that “It's undoubtedly a brilliant initiative taken to have this 24 hours of Reality campaign. Whoever took part in this conference would surely be convinced that if nations unite, the negative impacts of climate change can be minimised and eventually reversed. It will ensure the well being of the future generations and the protection of all living species on Earth.”
The presentation concluded with the message that Climate Change is a threat to health, economy, peace and Sustainability. The time has come to raise our voice, and “Speak Truth to Power”. Watch here the proceedings
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