NOVEL WAY TO FIGHT CLIMATE CATASTROPHE
In the fight against climate change,a novel approach is blazing a trail_ Climate Fasting.The approach extends beyond spiritual enrichment and serves a collective action against environmental degradation.It all caught attention with the fasting of Sonam Wangchuk for the given case.Historically fasting has appeared as a tool for social change,famously utilized by the reformers of the time to quell any ignominy prevalent in society.For instance Mahatma Gandhi made good use of it to fight against colonial expression.Another good example is of Irom Sharmila political activist from Manipur who broke all the records by becoming the longest world hunger striker.Ana Hazare's crusade against corruption is also glowing tribute to the fact that how wrongs can be fought amicably.
As per the reports of various environmental groups,the world is heading towards grim state of affairs in terms of climate catastrophe showing its deleterious impact.We often catch it in news that the previous day was the hottest day in the last 50 years or night was the coldest.So we have now become used to get across such disturbing climatic trends.
The balance between the environment and the development is getting deteriorated.In the guise of development,man has tended to become one dimensional ie pursuit of self_interest only relegating all other non_economic considerations to the background for example conservation of the environment.Consumerism the core of capitalism has led to the exploitation of the resources at an alarming rate.Areas under forest cover are reducing on account of reckless industrialization and urbanization.Disapperances of wetlands is also the concomitant feature of developmental policies.I give you the local example of my district where I belong to that in the construction of new roads and expansion of existing roads some 70_80 Chinar trees were chopped off.One can't say that roads are not important infact lifelines of our economy. But where environment is damaged to such extent certainly such infrastructural projects are to be reconsidered in order to gauge the cost-benefit equation properly.
Every time assessment reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) points out to the gruesome picture.According to its sixth assessment report of 2022_next mass extinction wouldn't be nature induced but the human factors at the forefront.The most vulnerable regions are going to be the regions of Africa and the Latin America.So the losses and damages due to climate change will disproportionately affect the poor regions.Is it not the paradox that those regions are bearing the brunt of climate change which in the first place are least responsible for it underscoring the fact that climate justice is the need of the hour.
India our country is not free from the same anamoly.It is also baffled with the problems. It is reported that 40% will face water scarcity by 2050.Data of last 10 years reveal that 11000 people died due to heat stroke in India_most of them recorded in Bihar.The Valley of Kashmir known as the paradise on earth is also reeling under the impact.This winter we noticed long dry spells,sparse snowfall and receding of the glaciers.Ipso facto India was the fifth most affected country by climate change globally in German Watch's report.In 2018,nearly 7 million Indians were either displaced or have migrated due to climate induced distress.
In conclusion as a timely measure to do,habitants of this planet must join their heads and acts together to fight the environmental problems.This is a battle to be fought both individually and collectively.We have to devise new and unprecedented ways to confront it.In the beginning of this I mentioned about climate fasting.More such initiatives are to be held.Remember the fact that there is no planet B where we can go.All our energies,endeavours ought to be directed against the cause.Here the adage of Guy McPherson is apt,”If you really think that the environment is less important than the economy,try hold you breath while you count your money.”