New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu has raised concerns over climate change and global warming and said these are among the most “pressing” issues the world is confronting today.
“Global temperatures are rising and incidents of extreme weather are increasing. We are faced with the dilemma” said the President Murmu said on the eve of 74th Republic Day.
The President said, “to lift more and more people out of poverty, we need economic growth, but that growth also comes from fossil fuel”
“Unfortunately, the poor bear the brunt of global warming more than others” she added.
In the recent study, published in Ecological Applications, analyzed data on polar bear in northeast Alaska and the Northwest Territories and documented a 40 per cent population loss between 2001-2010 from 1500, to 900 bears.
The President also emphasized for an alternative energy source to mitigate the climate crisis.
“Developing and popularising alternative sources of energy is one of the solutions. India has taken a commendable lead in this direction by giving a policy push to solar energy and electric vehicles” she said.
She also urged the developed nations must support the developing countries by transferring green technologies and finance.
“At the global level, however, emerging economies need a helping hand from advanced nations in the form of technology transfer and financial support” she said.
The President said to maintain the balance between development and environment, we have to look at the ancient traditions with a new perspective.
“We need to reconsider our basic priorities. The scientific aspects of traditional life-values have to be understood. We must, once again, rekindle that respect for nature and humility before the vast universe”.
“Let me state here that Mahatma Gandhi was a true prophet of our times, as he foresaw the calamities of indiscriminate industrialization and cautioned the world to mend its ways” she added.
The President also said that G20 presidency is an opportunity for India to promote democracy and multilateralism and the right forum for shaping a better world and a better future.
“As G20 represents about two-thirds of the world population and around 85 per cent of global GDP, it is an ideal forum to discuss and find solutions for global challenges and climate change” she said.
Talking about the importance of food, President said Coarse grains like millets are eco-friendly as they require less water to grow and yet they provide high levels of nutrition. If more and more people turn to millets, it will help conserve ecology and also improve health.
She added that we need to modify our lifestyle if we want our children to live happily on this fragile planet.
“I am happy to note that the United Nations accepted a suggestion from India and declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets. Millets were essential ingredients of our diet and they are making a comeback among sections of society” she said.
