New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) Movement’ on World Environment Day, a global call for behavior change solutions that can drive climate-friendly behaviors among individuals, communities and organisations.
The launch also initiated the ‘LiFE Global call for Ideas and Papers’, inviting individuals, universities, think tanks, non-profits and others worldwide to submit measurable and scalable behavior change solutions for environment.
The idea of LiFE was introduced by the Prime Minister during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow last year.
The idea promotes an environmentally conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilisation’ instead of ‘mindless and wasteful consumption’.
While delivering the keynote address, the PM stressed that the need of the hour to solve the challenge faced by our planet using human-centric, collective efforts and robust action that further sustainable development.
He added that the vision of LiFE is to live a lifestyle that is in tune with our planet and does not harm it. And those who live such a lifestyle are called “Pro-Planet People”.
Mission LiFE borrows from the past, operates in the present and focuses on the future. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are the concepts woven into our life. The Circular Economy has been an integral part of our culture and lifestyle.
The Prime Minister said that thanks to 1.3 billion Indians in the country he was able to do many good things for the environment in our country.
He added that India’s forest cover is increasing and so is the population of lions, tigers, leopards, elephants and rhinos. He said that India’s commitment to reach 40% of installed electric capacity from non-fossil fuel-based sources has been achieved, 9 years ahead of schedule.
The target of 10% ethanol blending in petrol has been achieved 5 months ahead of the November 2022 target. This is a major accomplishment given that blending was hardly 1.5% in 2013-14 and 5% in 2019-20.
Modi said renewable energy has a very high focus in the government. Way ahead, he said, is all about innovation and openness. When technology and tradition mix, the vision of life will be taken further.
The Prime Minister also recalled that Mahatma Gandhi talked about a zero-carbon lifestyle. In our daily life choices, let us pick the most sustainable options, he said. He urged the gathering to follow the principle of reuse, reduce and recycle.
Our planet is one but our efforts have to be many – One earth, many efforts. “India stands ready to support any effort for a better environment and to further global wellness. Our track record speaks for itself,” he concluded.
The programme also witnessed the participation of Bill Gates, Co-Chairman Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Lord Nicholas Stern, Climate Economist; Prof. Cass Sunstein, Author of Nudge Theory; Inger Anderson, UNEP Global Head; Aniruddha Dasgupta, CEO and President World Resources Institute; Achim Steiner, UNDP Global Head; and David Malpass, World Bank President, among others.
Speaking at the event Inger Anderson, UNEP Global Head said , “With more than 1 billion people and home to a thriving generation of innovative entrepreneurs, India is central to global environmental action. I look forward to following your progress as you launch this hugely important movement because when India leans in, the world watches and follows,”
“Last year at COP26 in Glasgow, Prime Minister Modi advanced the idea for LiFE. It builds on the idea that individual action and behaviour are a key part of our collective responsibility. said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator.
“It aims to attract some of the world’s very best solutions to drive climate friendly behaviour amongst individuals and communities from grassroots innovators to academia to international organisations and beyond,” he said.
