In January 2021 the leading Science Magazine of the world, Scientific American published an interesting story entitled, "World's Scientists Warning of a Climate Emergency '' as a feature article. The article was an eye opener as it initiated a much-required discussion across the world on climate change. Countries across the globe are facing erratic weather phenomena. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, storms, and hurricanes are on the rise. India is negotiating the disasters more frequently than ever as cloud bursts, lightning strikes, landslides, floods, and avalanches occurred in many parts of the country resulting in loss of men, money, and material. The adverse effects of climate change are much more severe than expected. With the rise in the frequency and magnitude of climate change related problems, the threat to both the biosphere and humanity is alarming. The country is feeling the advanced impact of climate change as it has started denting its progress and economy. People who were hit by floods in Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Assam, and Kerala are homeless and it is believed that many people will have to leave their homelands for good due to environmental accidents causing social and economic conflicts. Further increase in emissions and global temperatures are posing challenges to the younger generation. Future generations must overcome the impacts of climate change that are hardly predictable. The issues are more pertinent for India.
India has the largest young population, and it is becoming the world's youngest country with a median age of 29 years. The youth have to bear the burden of the climate change related consequences. Some of the future challenges are: increase in incidence of vector borne diseases; spread of pests and pathogens in agricultural fields; loss of food both pre-harvest and post-harvest to fungal pathogens. Pandemics, epidemics and spread of infectious diseases that are on rise due to high temperature and humidity are taking a big toll. Loss of biological diversity which encompasses a variety of food resources and offers resilience to the ecosystems is a cause of worry too. The future generations will also have to struggle to get portable drinking water as depletion of freshwater reservoirs is on rise. Energy and food security are other areas that need immediate attention from every quarter. The youth across the world have to assume responsibility and correct the mistakes our generation has made. The role of youth power will become increasingly important and will collectively determine the future of the country. Since 2012 young people in several countries of the world started concrete actions for climate protection. Youth Climate Action Day, celebrated on October 23, every year is a worldwide movement of young people who are concerned about climate change and global injustice. Every one of us must do something about this compelling issue, especially the students at colleges, universities, and civil life (Youth to be more precise).
So how can the youth participate and take up this responsibility? It can be done by building a climate resilient environment, manage changes brought about by climate change to fight disruptions caused by climate change. These disruptions need well thought over and planned mitigation strategies.
They point up possibilities for action and learn from each other. The many ideas and actions are shared via social media and become visible on the Climate Action Day world map. The focus on building climate resilience. Climate resilience refers to the outcomes of evolutionary processes of managing change to reduce disruptions and enhance opportunities. A youth movement towards greater efficiency in resource use is the need of an hour. Youth should demonstrate commitment to contribute appropriately towards reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by being less consumerist. Changes in social awareness and things that lead to innovative actions and practices including increased attention to both disaster risk management and climate change adaptation is much required at this hour. A high level of social awareness of climate change risks using all kinds of media, platforms both print, and television will go a long way in this. Access to scientific and technological expertise and options for problem solving, including effective mechanisms for providing climate information, services, and standards is urgently required. Youth need to steer effective programs to assist the most vulnerable populations and systems in coping with impacts of climate change. The youth of every state must join hands together and work at grassroot level. Within their chosen careers look for innovative solutions using engineering, management, soft skills to negate the impact of climate change. Science, technology, and innovation ecosystem is being created where youth can serve as an important driver and work together to create technology solutions in terms of creating alternate energy sources, plug the leaks and develop substitutes that leave least carbon foot pints. Youth has the power to bring politicians and policymakers on the table and bring in policy changes that can build climate resilience. Together we can! Join the Youth Climate Action Day on October 23, 21 and create an impact.
One writer is Associate Professo with Hansraj College,another is Research Scholar at DU
Email:----drmkoul@gmail.com
