- YKA and Sauhard presented CONVERGE – on Climate Action, a forum with decision-makers and powerful changemakers from Gujarat to discuss steps that can tackle climate change
- YKA launches FOUR-month campaign #WhyOnEarth to train young changemakers to work on climate action and sustainability
New Delhi, October 02, 2019 : Youth Ki Awaaz and Sauhard jointly held a CONVERGE even in Ahmedabad on 28th September to talk about and raise awareness on the impact of climate change and the need for Climate Action and Justice. Close on the heels of the recently concluded UNSG Summit in New York (21-23 Sep) on Climate Action, this event focused to offer solutions and ideas to tackle the increasing problem of climate change affecting us all.
As per latest figures revealed by India’s Economic Survey from 2017-18, India loses close to Rs 62,000 crore annually just because of extreme weather events, which has resulted in slowing down of the economy by 30%.
A tenth of the world’s known plant and animal species are found in India and are a major risk. Nearly 30% of our land area has been degraded because of deforestation, over-cultivation, soil erosion and depletion of wetlands. Extreme weather conditions like floods, droughts, heat waves have become annual events and have led to the deaths of thousands of people.
The need for positive climate action is at an all-time high and engaging with young people is a critical step to achieve that goal. Youth Ki Awaaz and Sauhard have joined hands to build a stronger policy level action from the government of India in order to address the climate crisis.
This was the first of many regional Converge events till December 2019 on the issue of Climate Action. The speakers at this the event were notable names like Mudita Vidrohi, Environmental Activist; RJ Dhvanit, Radio Mirchi; Prakshal Mehta, Co-Founder, World Around You (WAY); Shwetal Shah, Technical Advisor, Climate Change Department, Government of Gujarat; Kristin Kagetsu, Co-Founder, Saathi Pads.
The talks by each of the Speakers focused on varied intersections of the issue of Climate Change such as assessing the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities; the need for active citizenship and community participation in ensuring better waste segregation in cities; the importance of addressing the economic impact on a country’s GDP from climate change-related activities; looking at policies around climate change taken by the Government of Gujarat & the need for building climate resilience within government functioning; how sustainable materials for creating sanitary pads can benefit the environment and reduce ecological waste.
Anshul Tewari, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Youth Ki Awaaz said, “It is now more than ever that we need to take climate action seriously and demand from our decision-makers to do the same. Young people globally are leading the movement to demand climate action, and even in India, there are millions of children who are concerned about their future. It is time for the govts. to stop ignoring youth voices and start acting against climate change. This event and our project is trying to create a step in that direction.”
Gaurang Raval, Founder of Sauhard said, “We have been listening and talking about saving the environment since our school days. However, things have gone from bad to worse, thanks to our previous generation. Now, it’s high time that young people take charge and push policy level changes. Converge in Ahmedabad will be one of such initiative to make a real difference.”
Corporate Comm India(CCI NewsWire)
