Save Earth: Climate Change Convention
On the 6th and the 7th of November, The Center of Science and Environment called some of the most prominent figures from around the world, to come together for a common cause. It was to discuss the climate change, the things responsible, its impacts and its repercussions.
It started with an overview, By Mr. Chandra Bhushan, Deputy Director General, CSE. Then a panel of five people, which included Shreekant Gupta, professor DCE, Sanjay Tomar, And Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director- research and advocacy, CSE presented their views.
Sunita Narain, in the discussion at lunch
They discussed about the co-benefit agenda for the global south. There were different aspects, like agricultural emissions, livestock emissions etc. that were brought up and focused upon. Kamal Kishore discussed, how it is really difficult to manage rural livestock fuel emissions, as the primary source of fuel in rural areas comes from livestock emissions.
Sanjay Tomar, who is the regional co-ordinator, South Asia, World Agro forestry Center, ICKAP New Delhi, shed some light on Forest conservation and climate change.
People from different countries came together for the conference.
In the next session, the discussions went to a level which focused on energy efficiency and mitigation from household appliances, where, they talked about the new techniques of energy conservation, like LED lights vs. CFL lights, and how CFC and HFC emissions are a threat to the global warming issues and ozone layer depletion. On the table, there were leaders in the field of household appliances, like Archana Walia, director, India Programs, Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program and SEAD Initiative, New Delhi, Venkatesh Dwivedi, senior manager- technical, Energy Efficiency Services Ltd., New Delhi, Markus Wypior, Proklima Project Manager, Indo- German Energy Forum (IGEF), GiZ, New Delhi and B.J. Wadia, executive Vice-president (technology and innovation), Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd, Mumbai.
Raj Chengappa, addressing the issue
The next segment was the panel discussion, where the conversation got really interesting. The panel included prominent figures from the media, like Amit Baruah, resident editor, The Hindu, Delhi; Gardner Harris, South Asia Correspondent at the New Your Times; Raj Chengappa, editor-in Chief, The Tribune; Sunita Narain director general, Center for Science and Environment (CSE) and Victor Mallet, South Asia bureau chief, The Financial times. The subject of the panel discussion was: “Do we live on the same planet? The north-south divide in climate reportage.”
Markus Wypior with the panelists
The discussion went another dimension, where the panel debate went to a level where the panelists were divided. Gardiner Harris said, “We have 3 reporters in New York Times and we write about how apocalyptic the repercussions (of climate change) can be, every week, if not, every day.” Further he said, “I generally check weather on my iPhone, It says how the day is going to be, either foggy of rainy, or sunny. For the past couple of days, it’s saying, SMOKE! You see what I mean?”
Gardiner Harris, making a point.
Amit Baruah said, it is time to take actions. That just the discussion is not enough. “Take it up to the parliament, not just on the manifesto.”
Although there were many differences in views and the divide between the north and the south, all of the panelists agreed that climate change is a major problem, and it has to be tackled together. There is no other way we can save the earth.
