WSDS 2024: We must recognise that the impact of our actions reverberates across nations affecting the most vulnerable communities and ecosystems: Vice President
World Sustainable Development Summit, renowned for its impactful additions to the climate discourse started today. The opening session had a different twist focussed on, “Climate Action, Peace, and Spirituality”.
A session on guided meditation for healing the self and the planet was moderated by B K Shivani, Rajyog Teacher, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization.
Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI says, “We are yet to realise the sacredness of our relationship with nature comprising of not just the physical resources surrounding us.”
She adds, “Humankind reflects in the form of vibrations, intentions, thoughts, emotions, choices, cultures and models had a ripple effect that has come back to us as this climate crisis.”
Shivani says, “We are human beings who are looking for our peace and happiness in the doing. A stressed, depressed planet cannot create a happy and healthy environment.”
Professor Hoesung Lee, Former, IPCC chair, in the session “Leadership Panel: Shaping Climate Responsive Futures” says, “Statistics reveals regions that did not cause any climate change experienced, 15 times higher human mortality from the floods, droughts and storms in the last 10 years.”
He adds, “We have right now is a misalignment between global aspiration and the individual choices we make every-day I believe that leaders need to fix this.”
Deepali Khanna, vice president, Asia, The Rockefeller Foundation says, “Climate change and sustainable development are global issues. This requires a deep understanding of international dynamics and the ability to negotiate and collaborate.”
Discussion revolved around themes such as climate change is not a standalone issue; it is an opportunity not a deterrent for growth; carbon markets; and various other measures to bend the curve to survive; agriculture.
The evening session was joined by the vice president of India Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav.
Nitin Desai, chairman, TERI says, “Environment does not respect national boundaries so have a system of cooperation. Bring together people on environment and development, we have seen this merging more stronger in climate change. We are moving beyond the stage of awareness.”
Dhankar says, “Forums like this provide a valuable virtual platform for collective commitment .The challenges we face, the impact of our actions, reverberates across nations affecting the most vulnerable communities and ecosystems.”
He adds, “One of the cornerstones of sustainable development is the transition to clean and renewable energy sources, our commitment not only mitigates impacts of climate change but opens avenues for economic growth, job creation and technological innovation.”
Bhupender Yadav says, “We believe in issue that to uphold climate justice everyone in India must have access to means necessary to live with integrity. We believe access to energy is a right. And, therefore energy must be afforded at the same time, energy must be clean. India shifting towards renewable resources at a fast pace.”
The message by the prime minister of the country Narendra Modi, “The challenges we face may be daunting, but with courage, determination, and collective action, let us commit ourselves to the pursuit of a more sustainable and equitable world, where every individual can thrive, in harmony with nature.”