Climate change issues travel across India

Warning: strip_tags() expects parameter 1 to be string, array given in /home/propelea/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 631

Melting Arctic glaciers, rising temperatures, excessive rain: global climate change has been the center of policy for leaders all around the world.

Meanwhile, innovative local efforts to address climate change and promote environmental practices have been robust, especially among the young. On December 8, 2008, at the Climate Change Summit in Poznan, Poland, Indian youth vowed to make a difference in the pursuit of green development. These were translated into action when 19 of India’s youth took the reins in combating climate change by going on a road trip to spread awareness about climate change and document environmental solutions.

An Eco-friendly Road Trip
Passionate members of the Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN) set off on a 30-day road trip across India to spread awareness about climate change, environmental practices and profiling environmental solutions. The group feels that although Indian youth are now aware of climate change, what is important is to spread the word on how the youth can convert this knowledge into environmental solutions to be applied in their local communities.

They traveled aboard a combination of eco-friendly and alternatively powered vehicles: a solar-roofed jeep, a sustainably produced plant-oil powered truck, a waste vegetable oil-powered van, and solar plug-in Reva electric cars. The group traveled more than 3,500 kilometers through 20 cities to reach India’s capital, Delhi, on February 4, reports Environmental News Network.

The tour, known as the Climate Solutions Road Tour, is the first of its kind in India. The group’s focus is to raise awareness on climate change and convert this awareness into tangible commitments and actions.

According to Kartikeya Singh of IYCN, there are 700 million people in India below 35 who are most affected because it is their future at stake. This is why he feels that the youth of India must stand up and call on their government to seriously pursue the path of green development. He also called on government leaders to stop bickering and do something about climate change.

Inspirational and Innovative
As they visited colleges and schools in every city, the group came up with well-prepared training programs for climate leadership meant to persuade the youth to generate solutions in their local communities while visualizing the kind of future that they want.

Documentation of novel approaches and commentaries served as support for communication of solutions. These were then posted on the travelers’ website. Numerous activities and events took place in each city to give attention to local climate solutions. Climate solutions took in a more inspirational meaning when expressed in expressive dances, and through art and music.

Related Posts

1. Rock Group Uses Solar-powered Music to Stop Climate Change
2. India Embraces the Environmental Imperative
3. Ford Foundation announces millions in grants to help rural populations battle climate change
4. GLOBE: 16 largest economies have advanced climate change action
5. GLOBE: 16 largest economies have advanced climate change action