Dirty talk in public for climate's sake!

GLOBAL WARMING

I came to Delhi in 2009 last. When I landed here this time, I could feel the rise in level of air pollution.

Though I had been hearing and reading about it in various reports, it was alarming for me to face it,” Bill Mckibben, founder of 350.org told Metrolife.

Speaking at the recently launched ‘The DirtE Talk Series’ in the Capital, the environmentalist talked about climate change and its effects on the world population.

Looking at pictures of various coastlines being submerged in water, Metrolife asked him if India is doing enough to prepare itself for the impending danger.

“I’m afraid if India is worried about climate change,” says Mckibben, adding that India is progressing towards becoming one of the three superpowers in the world.

“And to become one, it has to focus on renewable sources of energy. At present India is using a lot of dirty energy,” he says in reference to the consumption of coal in India.    
  One cannot deny the fact that Delhi has become notorious as the ‘most polluted city’ in the world in terms of its air quality.

But it is also significant to note that while people in other countries are protesting against the use of non-renewable sources of energy by their governments, one hardly sees any unrest among Indians, leave apart Delhiites.

The talk began with a street play by Asmita Theatre Group based on ‘Climate Change’.

Following this was a session that introduced important concepts such as energy equity, unsustainable growth parameters and economic impacts of dependence on fossil fuels.

This provided a platform to audiences to learn and interact with communities resisting dirty energy projects.
Moreover, it endeavoured to kickstart a mainstream discussion, largely amongst the youth, that challenges the status quo on how India perceives and acts on its energy needs. 

Addressing an audience comprising mainly the youth, Kumi Naidoo, executive director, Green Peace International said, “Prime Minister Modi has the power to bring about this change. His vision for India is an ambitious one, but he needs to ensure that it is inclusive, democratic and sustainable too. The reality is that we are running out of time to prevent catastrophic climate change which is already taking lives, destroying infrastructure and impacting livelihoods. We desperately need India’s leadership at the global level so that we can secure our children and their children’s future.”
Mckibben too stressed on the use of solar energy commenting that “India received immense amount of sun rays across the country which can be used to create solar energy. But here everyone is intrigued and hopeful of the promise of rise in solar power by the new government, without realising that time is running out.”