‘We need to declare a world-wide climate emergency’

The international movement “Fridays for future” led by the 16-year-old Swedish girl Greta Thunberg has brought the impending climate crisis issue to the common man. As the severity of the situation escalates day-by-day, children around the world have come forward to urge the world leaders to put the pressing issue of rapid climate change in the forefront of their policy framework, developing policies that will subside the effect of this “climate emergency” in order to avoid jeopardizing their future. Placard holding, school going children of Delhi banded together at Jantar Mantar and performed here on September 27 in order to grab people’s attention to their cause. Acts like nukkad natak, dance performances and juggling performances were put out under the watchful eye of Brother Steve Rocha, Director of PRATYeK, who have been organizing small protests against climate change in Delhi regularly. In order to know more about the climate strikes, team Urban Update talked to Brother Steve.

Q- Seeing that you have been regularly holding ‘Climategiri’ at Jantar Mantar against the ongoing climate crisis, what progress have you made as of yet?

Every month we have one Friday dedicated for this. ‘Climategiri’ has grown into a movement with more and more schools and NGOs coming onboard and the voices of the children are being heard across the globe. Young people are leading a path of change and Greta’s initiative has given young people a platform to express their growing discomfort of foreseeable dark future. As a result, in India, we can see various schemes like the ban on single use plastic are being initiated. But, we are not confident about the implementation of the same at ground level and hence this won’t be the end of our protests until it becomes a commitment which should reflect in our laws and our budgets, in our lifestyles basically. Four countries have already declared such climate emergencies.

Q- What exactly are Greta Thunberg’s demands from the world leaders?

What she is basically asking for is to declare a worldwide climate emergency and prioritise the climate crisis, whose severity is highlighted on the daily in the news. We want budgets changing in order to emphasise more on introducing reforms which protect the environment, rather than depleting our natural resources. The world could face severe consequences in the coming decade if anything is not done to rectify the situation now.

Q- What exactly is a climate emergency?

Adequate funds get reallocated to the designated natural resources ministries. They get more empowered in order to implement tougher laws which can ensure that stricter measures are taken for the betterment of the environment. Activities that degrade the environment get suspended. Green taxes come into play. Greener ideologies like encouraging cleaner alternatives to the day to day utilities would be introduced. The whole paradigm needs to be changed. Hence, an emergency.

Q- Why aren’t the other governments implementing this climate emergency?

Many countries are supporting the corporate world and industrialisation, which I believeare at the heart of the issue. The overexploitation of natural resources by industries have contributed in flaring the situation.

Q- Given the current economic scenario of India, can such a paradigm shift proposed by this kind of emergency be feasible in its implementation for India?

There is no other option. We have to act immediately and that’s why these little kids are here. Physical changes are highly essential at this stage.