Indian Climate Change Champion essays

Spreading awareness among our communities, across our nations and throughout our planet is an important step towards resolving the issue of climate change, but we must remember that it is only the first step.

I believe that every single person can make a difference if they are inspired to do so, and that collaboration between people can initiate massive change. This spurred me on to start an environmental group called “Confluence” in my school dedicated towards creating a sustained environmental movement, which transferred environmentalism from the realms of a “pet project” to a mainstream concern.
We achieved this by setting up a garbage segregation system in our school, spreading awareness about climate change by screening documentaries and hosting talks, networking with our local community to curb plastic bags, introducing composting, encouraging rainwater harvesting, and most importantly inspiring younger children to develop an interest in environmental issues at an early age.
Through these experiences I have not only learnt that I can make a difference but I have also developed the skills required to do so effectively.

Bangalore my hometown is located atop the Deccan Plateau and so has a stable, pleasant climate. Recently though we have experienced some of the hottest summers, coldest winters and worst monsoons on record. This irregularity of usually consistent weather patterns is certainly a cause for alarm and has inspired me to push ahead with my campaign against climate change in India.

I believe that I am a worthy candidate for the climate champion because I am a well-rounded individual who has a fresh innovative approach to the subject. I understand the value and importance of people and ideas converging together to solve a problem and I have the ability to manage a team, organise ideas in a holistic manner and communicate them clearly with well-honed public speaking skills.

Could the Ganges run dry?
Nishant Jacob, Bangalore

Holy river runs dry, Millions face mass starvation, Drought unrelenting in Northern India, Allabahad, Patna and Kanpur come to a screeching halt, Crop failure across the nation, Unprecedented humanitarian crisis, Military unable to curb anarchy, World health organisation stretched to the limit; are these the some of the headlines we can expect to see in 2025? The frightening answer to this ominous question is unfortunately, yes. Climate change is causing the retreat of Himalayan glaciers and the depletion of ice fields on the Tibetan plateau. This will have a severe impact on the volumetric flow rate of India’s numerous and vitally important glacially fed rivers which supply water to over 500 million people who depend on this freshwater for agriculture, drinking, industry, transport and livelihood. If the water supply to vast portions of northern and central India is disrupted we can only imagine the catastrophic impact it would have on economic development and the unprecedented humanitarian crisis that would ensue, far out distancing any other disaster in Indian history. A lack of water for irrigation would result in mass starvation, affecting regions already below the poverty line. Some of India’s fastest growing cities would face major blows to their economies and law and order may dissolve into anarchy and chaos.

Far-reaching consequences of climate change
Changing weather patterns due to climate change will increase the occurrence of extreme weather events such as cyclones and hurricanes, which could ram repeatedly into the coasts of Orrisa and West Bengal. Coastal areas will face an even more pressing issue, namely, rising sea levels. With over 7500 km of kilometres of coastline most of which is densely populated even a slight increase in seal levels could be devastating, especially for places such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Millions of people will be displaced and would need to be relocated, placing massive strain on India’s infrastructure. Monsoon cycles will also be thrown out of phase due to the effects of climate change. This would be disastrous because the livelihood of a vast population depends upon agriculture, forestry, wetlands and fisheries, which depend heavily on consistent monsoon patterns and a healthy water cycle. Changes to this water cycle would also result in an increase of water borne diseases such as cholera and hepatitis, as well as an increase in vector borne diseases such as malaria.

Firm stand
India must take a firm stand in the campaign against climate change since it contains one sixth of the world’s population who face the harshest impacts of climate change and who could potentially become the largest contributors. India has the opportunity to lead the developing nations forward in addressing the issue and make an impression in the international community by playing a lead role. Furthermore India is in a good position to lead the fight against climate change because it can incorporate solutions such as renewable energy, mass public transport and an efficient use of resources into its development plans. By investing in green technologies now India can save massive sums of money by avoiding the costs of converting to less polluting systems later and the unthinkable costs of dealing with the crisis’s climate change will bring about.

Young minds and awareness
India has a huge wealth of creative young minds and entrepreneurs who, if they turn their attention towards the issue, can produce some of the most innovative and insightful solutions to the climate change struggle. India has an ancient culture based on an intelligent use of resources, use of natural materials and respect for the surrounding environment. Modernizing these indigenous concepts and finding a place for them in present day India would yield magnificent results, as the fight against climate change starts at a very personal level. If initiative and awareness is not spread at the grassroots level the future seems very bleak indeed. Encouraging people to take a look at their carbon footprints and implement the recommendations on how to reduce them is a good place to start. Creating awareness in schools, industries, businesses and government departments will add momentum to the movement.

Implementation
The government, private sector and general public must collaborate together and form smaller, mixed task forces which address issues such as passing legislation to curb industrial output, tightening emission controls to encourage a shift towards LPG, developing and implementing green technologies such as solar power which will provide clean reliable sources of energy while reducing our dependence on oil. Encouraging corporate social responsibility is another key issue as the general public can apply pressure on firms to adopt more eco friendly approaches.

Looking Ahead
The world will have to change its approach to consuming natural resources and generating harmful by-products such as greenhouses gases. We have already begun to feel the impacts of climate change and we can only expect these to worsen. India has the opportunity and motivation to begin the transformation toward sustainable development. Now all that is left is for the citizens, businessmen and politicians to cooperate, integrate and act efficiently in order to implement and develop solutions before it is too late and we see the day when the Ganges runs dry.