{"id":1752,"date":"2020-03-24T07:15:51","date_gmt":"2020-03-24T07:15:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jgu.edu.in\/blog\/?p=1752"},"modified":"2020-04-06T13:02:01","modified_gmt":"2020-04-06T13:02:01","slug":"are-people-for-the-planet-conversations-on-climate-culture-collective-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jgu.edu.in\/blog\/2020\/03\/24\/are-people-for-the-planet-conversations-on-climate-culture-collective-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Are People for the Planet? Conversations on Climate, Culture & Collective Action"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On the outskirts of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh sits a\nfamous temple dedicated to the \u2018goddess of stars\u2019<\/em>, Tara Devi. It is\nsurrounded by a dense forest. Adjoining the Tara Devi Temple and the forest is\na vast private land, which was equally lush with Oak, Deodar and other native\ntrees. In November 2014, the private property was sold to a builder, who saw a\ngolden \u2018opportunity\u2019 to construct a hotel. As many as 477 trees that were\nperhaps over a 100 years old were wiped out immediately, and illegally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as the stars would have it, The National Green\nTribunal\u2014a statutory body established in 2010 to handle and expedite cases\nrelating to the environment\u2014soon caught air of the matter. Justice Swatanter\nKumar, then chairperson of the NGT, was swift to take action. The agreement was\ncancelled, hefty fine imposed, and the Forest Department directed to plan\nreforestation of the area. In a strong move, the NGT also barred any future\nconstruction on the property. It is now reserved solely for afforestation. The\norder also demanded the offenders to plant 4770 trees\u201410 times the number\nfelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Justice Kumar recounted the Tara Devi case at the\nInternational Conference on \u2018Environment and Sustainability: Critical Issues\nand Solutions\u2019 held at India Habitat Centre on 12th March, 2020. The conference,\nwhich coincided with the foundation of Jindal School of Environment & Sustainability\n(JSES), was jointly organised by 91̽»¨ (JGU) and World\nWide Fund for Nature (WWF). A series of discussions ensued that were focussed\nnot only on the challenges of the environment, but how to create effective\nsolutions through law, policy, regulation, conservation, green building,\nscience and technology, among other means. In the audience were students from\nJGU, Ambedkar University, Delhi University and other higher education\ninstitutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a time when even global leaders are denying the\nrealities of climate change, the story of justice in the small Himalayan\nhilltop is a silver lining. Yes, in ways big or small, some groups are acting\nfor the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet at the end of the day, it is simply not enough.\nThe future of the planet and its people is undoubtedly at stake.There\nis no need to look at the stats and figures. Even if you do, the many\nenvironmental reports indicate, for the most past, major failings. The\nambitious Paris Agreement of 2015, which set out to hold rising temperatures\n\u201cwell below\u201d 2 degrees, is going to miss the mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is clear as day\u2014though ironically, clear days\nare numbered\u2014that climate change is real. In spite of the relentless retelling\nof climate change effects and the pressing need for change\u2014change is coming\nslowly, and unfortunately in many cases, if at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot more needs to be done. The many bigwigs\npresent at the conference\u2014a multidisciplinary panel of lawyers, judges,\nministers, civil servants, policy makers, environmentalists, economists and\nacademicians\u2014urged the youth, governments, and communities, to come together,\nstep up, and rally for the environment. Leaders in their domains, the speakers\nillustrated examples of both failings of governments and societies to curb climate\nchange, and also small victories and prudent steps towards a better future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two sides of the environment problem<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the one hand, we need to deal with the\ncircumstances humanity has already created for the environment. This means\ndeveloping and effectively implementing laws and policies to protect and\nrestore the environment, shift to green practices, achieve environmental\nsustainability in economy, development and infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other, we need to deal with humanity\u2019s\ncontinuing exploitation of the planet. This calls for something more. Take the\nAmazon rainforest, for instance. Environmentalists are worried about deforestation\nhappening at a colossal scale. Scientists say that climate change already set\nin motion along with further fires and deforestation could cause the planet\u2019s\nbiggest rainforest to dry up. If the \u2018lungs of the planet\u2019 cease to be, we are\nheading towards a climate catastrophe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This brings us to a pertinent question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Is humanity missing a culture of care?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Tatjana Kochetkova, Assistant Professor, Jindal\nGlobal Law School, in an illuminating lecture at the conference, asks\u2014what\nare the roots of the environmental crisis? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historically, there was a time when human\ncivilisation was only a small part of the biosphere\u2014\u2018like an embryo in a\nmother\u2019s womb\u2019, describes Dr. Kochetkova. Now humanity has grown up. It has\ngrown in size and in power. It has come into conflict with the biosphere, its\n\u2018mother\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Could this be seen as a crisis of consciousness? A\ncrisis of culture? \u201cUltimately, it can be described as an existential crisis\u2014a\ncrisis of meaning. Over-consumption of the biosphere\u2019s resources is a symptom\nof spiritual emptiness. I think philosophy and spirituality are primary in\nfinding and designing solutions because what we need is a transformation\ntowards an ecocentric culture and values and finding deeper meaning of life,\u201d\nargues Dr. Kochetkova.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing the environmental crisis with law and\npolicy is important. But is it enough? We need a re-evaluation of our values\nand deeper cultural transformation. We need to rethink the foundations of our\ncivilisation. A case study of Japan, as one of the greenest countries in the\nworld, was brought forth to showcase how its transformation could be an\ninspiration for other countries. Japan, half a century ago, was very polluted.\nYet Japanese citizens were driven by ecocentric values and the very ‘aesthetic\nJapanese culture in which beauty has priority\u2019 as Dr. Kochetkova puts it. So it\nmanaged to clean up and develop the economy in a green way without sacrificing\nits growth. The Japanese people turned greening their country into an\neconomically viable activity. This raises another critical issue\u2014of \u2018economy\nvs. ecology\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bridging the gap between development\nand ecology <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no argument that development is necessary.\nGoing forward, developmental needs will only increase. India, as a developing\nnation, has seen a huge growth in linear infrastructure. Anywhere you go, roads\nare being laid down. India is also a large mammal country, noted Dr. Dipankar\nGhose, Director, Species and Landscapes Programme, WWF India, at the second\nsession of the conference on \u2018Developing Sustainable & Resilient\nInfrastructure\u2019. Large mammals represent India\u2019s rich biodiversity. They need\nconnected landscapes to thrive. But unfortunately, \u201cEvery day, you open\nnewspapers to find mortality of at least one animal and one human on roads,\u201d\nsays Dr. Ghose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you look at the road map of the country, you\u2019ll\nfind an intricate web cutting across green areas. Unless the development of\nroads brings in sensitivity to wildlife, India\u2019s biodiversity is at greater\nthreat. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has laid out guidelines to\navoid protected areas, but it\u2019s easier said than done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Ghose recalled the construction of the NH54E in\nAssam, which passed through a major elephant reserve. As a workaround, a plan\nwas formulated to construct an \u2018underpass\u2019 for the elephants. The suggestion\nseemed almost comical. Nonetheless, the elephants were subsequently \u2018trained\u2019\nto take the underpass. The plan\u2019s success was a big question. As it were, the\nentire operation quite literally \u2018bridged\u2019 the gap between development and\nenvironment, captured in surveillance camera footage that showed elephants and\neven other animals coming through the underpass!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This shows that development does not have to be\nagainst nature. It is not the norm, but these are the stories that inspire. In\nthe Tara Devi case too, the builder could have constructed small cottages in\nthe clearings between trees without touching the green cover. Perhaps it would\nhave gone on to become an environmentally sustainable and lucrative venture.\nEconomy and ecology can go hand-in-hand. It offers some solace and a whole lot\nof motivation to know that some people are doing their part. It\u2019s time all of\nus stepped up and joined in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A need for collective involvement and\nresponsibility<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve lost community involvement, individual\ninvolvement,\u201d says Dr. Bibek Debroy, leading Indian economist and Chairman,\nEconomic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, Government of India, in his\nlecture as Chief Guest at the launch of JSES. \u201cThere\u2019s no way the government\nalone can solve a problem,\u201d he adds. While some individuals and societies have\nstood up to address environmental issues, the larger populations perhaps remain\nlargely desensitised. \u201cThere\u2019s an assumption that protecting the environment is\nthe government\u2019s job,\u201d believes Dr. Debroy. He may be right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If not the government, then does the onus rest upon\nthe judiciary? Indeed, there are bodies like NGT, and there are people like\nM.C. Mehta, widely admired as the lawyer who single-handedly won innumerable\ncases for the environment. Mr. Mehta delivered a keynote address at the event.\n\u201cThe judiciary can work to protect the environment, but it cannot do\neverything. It is the role of people. As citizens of this world, we must take\nwhatever steps we can to protect the world. What history are we thinking of\nwriting for the future? You have to create a breed of young people who work on\nthese issues,\u201d he appeals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We need to halt, reverse and restore nature\u2014put\nnature back on the path of recovery. All things considered, there is a strong\nneed to create a new framework, where all nations pledge to protect nature. We\nneed to raise commitments of governments, bring in non-state actors, increase\nthe level of ambition and targets, and set clear, measurable targets. To make\nthis possible, to stand a winning chance, we need to challenge ourselves as a\nglobal community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can young people rise to the\nchallenge? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you want to become a lawyer, activist,\neconomist, civil servant, researcher, analyst, policy maker or business person,\ngetting the right kind of education is the key. Or even if you don\u2019t know just\nyet how you can contribute, but your gut tells you that you need to do\nsomething to save the planet\u2014you need to come forward. You need a conducive\nenvironment to discover your interests, aptitude, strengths and your passions.\nYou can find it through the necessary exposure and guidance at top global universities\nlike JGU. Education is the future of any nation. Education is the future of the\nworld. It is through education, that you can receive the knowledge, skills,\nexperiences, and most importantly, guidance, to pave your way forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

 Launching Jindal School of Environment\n& Sustainability <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conference culminated with the official announcement\nof JGU\u2019s new school\u2014Jindal School of Environment and Sustainability (JSES). Prof.\n(Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, JGU, in his address at the launch said\nthat though the university\u2019s eight other schools have many linkages to issues\nof the environment, there was a need to create a focussed, full-fledged school\nto study the environment in a multidisciplinary way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The newly launched school, and its first programme,\nB.A. (Hons.) Environmental & Sustainability Studies, which will be offered\nin 2020, presents students with a rare opportunity. Students will learn to draw\nconnections between the environment and society, to consider environmental\nproblems from a global perspective and take local approaches to solving them.\nExperiential learning through student-led projects will put theory into\npractice. Understanding that the world is truly entwined in more ways than one,\nstudents will learn to look at economic, cultural and political factors behind\nenvironment and sustainability issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a course with the kind of academic rigour and\nexposure befitting the peers of young Greta Thunberg\u2014the 17-year-old environmental\nactivist who has caught the world\u2019s attention by demanding global action\ntowards reducing climate change effects. It is for those young high school\nstudents who want to stand up and make a difference in the world they live in,\nbecause it is sorely needed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On the outskirts of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh sits a famous temple dedicated to the \u2018goddess of stars\u2019, Tara Devi. It is surrounded by a dense forest. Adjoining the Tara Devi Temple and the forest is a vast private land, which was equally lush with Oak, Deodar and other native trees. Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1774,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[68],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-environment-and-sustainability"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jgu.edu.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1752","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jgu.edu.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jgu.edu.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jgu.edu.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jgu.edu.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1752"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/jgu.edu.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1752\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1776,"href":"https:\/\/jgu.edu.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1752\/revisions\/1776"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jgu.edu.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1774"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jgu.edu.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jgu.edu.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1752"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jgu.edu.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}