Climate Change: An Urgent Existential Threat to Our Planet, Says V-P Jagdeep Dhankhar

Our planet is battling a serious issue—climate change. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar highlighted this during the closing session of the National Conference on Environment, organized by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). He emphasized that climate change is not just a challenge; it’s an urgent crisis that requires immediate action.

Dhankhar pointed out that many people expect someone else to solve the problem. But the truth is, we all need to step up and take responsibility for our environment. He reminded us that we are caretakers of our planet and must ensure we leave it in good shape for future generations. Unfortunately, he believes we are falling short in this regard.

Reflecting on past environmental disasters, Dhankhar referenced the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, now considered a massive failure in environmental safety. Even decades later, families are still suffering from the effects of that disaster. He praised NGT chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava for his ongoing efforts to help the victims.

Justice Shrivastava’s work in this area is crucial, especially since we lacked effective institutions in the past to handle such crises. The Supreme Court has made strides in changing our legal approach to the environment. Justice P S Narasimha noted that the Court is among the first in the world to prioritize ecological concerns over human-centered interests. This shift reflects a deeper understanding that we are part of a larger ecosystem.

On the government side, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta mentioned ongoing efforts to tackle air and water pollution. Water pollution, especially in rivers like the Ganga, has become a pressing issue due to industrial waste and sewage. Furthermore, changing climate patterns are causing erratic monsoons and extreme weather events, which pose new challenges.

Recent surveys show that nearly 66% of people in India are concerned about climate change and support stricter regulations. This growing awareness is encouraging. Each of us can contribute to making our environment safer and healthier.

It’s clear we must act urgently to address these environmental issues. Our choices today will determine the health of our planet tomorrow.



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