News stories about climate change almost always paints a picture of Armageddon: thousands of lives lost, communities displaced, economic hardship and instability among several other tragedies.
However, sensationalising news of such a tragedy sells – it always has – as the risks associated with climate change are very real and very near. Thus, it makes perfect sense to shake people out of inaction by scaring them with facts of impending doom.
But there is no need to exaggerate facts. The after-effects of climate change are already being felt all over India – from the massive floods in Kerala, Bihar and Nagaland to the persistent, toxic smog hanging over New Delhi; from the scorching heat waves in the south to losing glacial ice in the north.
We know that the planet is in danger and it is high time to do something about it; however, simply turning off the lights at home won’t cut it. We also know that climate change is human-made; however, the few pieces of chicken you wasted at dinner didn’t wreak havoc on the world.
Who’s the Real Culprit? Despotic Corporate Capitalism
The majority of carbon emissions globally come from oil and gas companies. India ranks fourth in greenhouse gas emissions, thanks to its massively profitable petroleum industry. Our country still pumps nearly 3 million tonnes of crude oil each year, albeit the numbers have dropped.
India is also one of the largest consumers of electricity in the world, with around 60% of power used by the fossil fuel-driven private sector. In other words, India’s economy is extremely dependent on coal – and it will cost 2.8% of the GDP to end this addiction.
“The fossil fuel industry across the world has no dearth of money and power, which invariably feeds governments. In India, they hold a huge sway over politics and policies, which the civil society simply lacks. Fossil fuels will always be cheaper and more profitable for corporations and governments alike,”Aneesa Khan, Executive Coordinator at SustainUS
A lifelong climate justice activist based in Chennai, Khan is working towards removing fossil fuel interests from climate policy-making.
To be fair, India is leading the production of renewable energy, generating nearly 13% of the world’s total hydroelectric, solar and wind power.
How Effective is the Paris Climate Agreement?
But these initiatives only paves way for governments to save face; in absolute terms the number of renewable projects is woefully inadequate to make a real difference.
It’s safe to say that even though the current Indian government made some ambitious pledges in the Paris climate agreement (which included goals to source at least 40% of its electricity from renewable sources and to have zero-emissions by 2030), it’s highly unlikely that the country will achieve its lofty ambitions even if we are driven by a sense of righteousness.
In fact, it's the rising tide (no pun intended) of passionate climate activists, youth movements and community organisers that will shape up to be the driving force of real change. They’re already shifting the Indian consciousness on an unprecedented scale.
While rigid capitalist beliefs are ingrained in the mindset of older generations, millennials have embraced the struggle for radical equality and are campaigning for increasingly leftist, rights-based tactics of governance that push back on capitalism.
“Much of the conflict, poverty, and inequality in India stems from scarce resources and our indiscriminate misuse of it,” says Padmini Gopal, a dedicated organiser and climate policy researcher at an environmental think tank in Delhi. She is working to identify policy measures for Indian farmers to help them become more resilient to climate-.
Millennials Join the Battle to Save the Climate
The most tangible effects of global warming are felt disproportionately by the country’s most vulnerable – poverty-stricken farmers that depend on stable weather for a steady yield, or women in rural parts of the country who walk longer distances in search of potable water for their families.
“Climate change is ruthless, but not as ruthless as the systems that allow it to go on,” says Sweta, a high school student who participated in the international #FridaysForFuture walkout that took place on 15 March. Thousands of schoolchildren around the world walked out of class to protest the lack of decisive action on climate change.
“We are tired of our parents blaming politicians and bureaucrats for not doing anything. We will be the generation that makes them do it!”Sweta, a high school student
Like Sweta, Aneesa Khan and her team conducted several sit-ins, protests and panel discussions at COP24 and other international climate change conferences to force India to comply with its goals. Gopal, too, has organised several talks and events to promote awareness of climate change.
The vigour of these movements is supplemented by several innovative projects and grassroots initiatives.
From civil society networks like The Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA) that implement long-term sustainable solutions in local communities, to other technology-based start-ups like the Vasudha Foundation that create online tools to map and manage the ongoing crisis.
Millions of engaged citizens are picking up the flack and holding the government to a higher standard.
But the Question Remains: Is This enough?
The fossil fuel divestment movement, which started in American colleges, had a global impact worth over 6 trillion dollars – meaning the mobilisation of youth can produce very tangible results. There’s merit to being optimistic; what India does now, can expedite sustainable development across the developing world.
Millennials are the ones most deeply affected by climate change, and are rightfully on the frontlines of this battle. We’re on the precipice of real change, and every individual on the planet needs to join this fight. There can no longer be room for apathy, complacency or ignorance.
“The biggest challenge is political will and behavioural change,” says Gopal. “Political will won't change unless everyone changes how they view climate change – and capitalism – and actually transform that into meaningful action.”
(Paroma Soni is a visual journalist, writer and activist from Mumbai. She has previously written for Homegrown and Slate, and recently been involved in several youth-led campaigns organising for climate change, public policy and solution-focused change. This is a personal blog and the views expressed are the author's own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for them.)
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