Article | Climate change Literacy Is Now Necessary | Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh | Central Chronicle
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Climate change Literacy Is Now Necessary
- Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh
Writer, Author & Social Activist
Blogger - "Climate Diary Of Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh"
Irregularities in weather, spread of new diseases, adverse effects of changing seasonal cycles on grain production, changes in mental and physical health of humans etc. are some of the signs that are warning about the dangers of the impact of climate change on human life. At the same time, the common citizen still does not even think about climate change because he does not have enough knowledge about climate change and its dangerous effects. Therefore, it is important to ensure climate change literacy to common citizens.
Climate change has such power that it can both destroy and improve people's lives. Many predictions have been made from time to time about its effects. A 2018 report on the United Nations' Sustainable Goals also states that climate change is a major cause of hunger and displacement. The World Health Organization estimates that the number of deaths will increase between 2030 and 2050 due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea and increasing heat caused by climate change. Many corporate institutions, research and educational institutions, non-governmental organizations etc. have taken up the initiative to develop understanding among people about climate change. Despite all this, work is not being done at the speed with which it should be done. Poverty alleviation, cleanliness, health and human rights are being given prominence in government efforts. The lack of efforts related to climate change resulted in the floods in Kerala. There is no doubt that the adverse effects of climate change will be greater on many developing countries including India. The World Bank estimates that climate change will reduce India's gross domestic product by 2.8 percent over the next thirty years, and will lead to a decline in the living standards of almost half of the country's population. In this context, the question naturally arises whether the people who are likely to be affected by climate change are aware of its ill effects? Do they know how this change is going to affect their health, livelihood, the lives of their families and communities?
This is a challenging task but it is not completely impossible. Global warming can be stopped when joint efforts are made. For this, both individuals and governments will have to take steps towards achieving this. We must start with greenhouse gas reduction. Furthermore, they need to keep an eye on gasoline consumption. Switch to a hybrid car and reduce carbon dioxide releases. Additionally, citizens can choose to take public transportation or carpool together. Subsequently, recycling should also be encouraged. For example, when you go shopping, carry your own clothes bag. Another step you can take is to limit electricity usage which will prevent the release of carbon dioxide. On the part of the government, they should control industrial wastes and prevent them from emitting harmful gases into the air. Deforestation should be stopped immediately and planting of trees should be encouraged. In short, we all should realize the fact that our earth is not well. It needs to be treated and we can help fix it. The present generation should take the responsibility of stopping global warming to prevent the suffering of future generations. Therefore, every small step, no matter how small, weighs a lot and is quite important in stopping global warming.
However, our country has always taken initiative at the global level by showing awareness towards climate change. India launched a movement called LiFE in partnership with multiple UN agencies with the aim of promoting climate-resilient behavior-change solutions among people and communities by promoting international, national and local best practices. For this, people, universities, thinkers, non-profit organizations etc. were invited to present climate-related, traditional and innovative best practices and solutions to promote climate-friendly production and employment generation. Meanwhile, the ‘LIFE Global Call for Ideas and Papers’ was also launched, inviting individuals, universities, think tanks, non-profits and others from around the world to submit excellent climate-friendly behavior change solutions.
This idea of LiFE campaign was presented by the Prime Minister of India during the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) held in Glasgow in 2021. In this, measures will be expanded to promote environmentally conscious lifestyle and focus on 'careful and judicious use' instead of 'mindless resource expenditure and wastage'.
On this occasion, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had said, “The vision of LiFE is to adopt a lifestyle that is in harmony with our planet and does not harm it. Those who live such a lifestyle are given the status of "planet-friendly people."
Prime Minister had said that "Mission LiFE focuses on the future by taking inspiration from the past, taking action in the present. 'Reduce, Reuse & Recycle' are core concepts of our lives. The circular economy is central to our culture and India's forest cover is increasing and so are the populations of lions, tigers, leopards, elephants and rhinos. He said up to 40% of the installed power capacity could come from non-fossil fuel based sources. India's commitment to reach the destination has been achieved nine years ahead of schedule."
Certainly these efforts are being made successfully but what is still lacking is to bring sufficient awareness among the common people. Unless every citizen is literate about climate protection, the pace of all efforts will remain slow. Now the time has come when the common people should know that if the glaciers at the poles melt rapidly, it affects every person, every animal and every plant.
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Thank you Central Chronicle 🙏
(17.12.2023)
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