Harping on youth for sustainable future
At an interactive discussion organised by TERI University in India’s national capital, panellists from different fields highlighted the need for youth to participate in the collective fight against climate change. With technology and knowledge capital at hand, youngsters can usher in a sustainable future for all.
New Delhi: India’s Minister of State for Communication and Technology, Sachin Pilot feels that the youth has a history in ushering revolutions with their thoughts and acts.
- Sachin Pilot releasing the souvenir at TERI university/ Photo credit: Anna Nath/ OWSA
“There may be differences on the roles to offer, but definitely every young person has a role to play. With the climate change and sustainable development becoming core concerns, there is a need to make holistic effort, which means we have to look more at the macro-level and do small things,” he said.
He was speaking at the 10th foundation day of The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) University held recently in the national capital.
The panellists discussed on the issues of sustainability, climate change and youth access to information on the upcoming COP-15 to be held in Copenhagen next month.
Highlighting the mindless gobbling up of limited resources and unsustainable business practices, Dr R.K. Pachauri, Director-General TERI, raised the need for thinking “out-of-the-box”.
“What we have to do is to deviate from old unsustainable practices because development without thinking is no development, he said.
Sustainable solutions
In an age of integrated communications, nothing stays isolated. A disruption of society or breakdown of social system in any part of the world will affect everyone on the globe. With the scale of changes in our environment, there is a danger that at least dozen countries of the world will be facing serious threat of extinction. Youths today have the responsibility that they maintain stability in the world, he added.
What the younger generation needs to do is to take small steps towards promoting the efficient use of resources, and build a vibrant society.
Raj Chengappa, Managing Editor, India Today mentioned of connectivity and developing pool of knowledge capital. He said: “Today’s youth should know a range of things and begin using resources well. Also knowledge can be used to bring solutions for change.”
Former cricketer, Ajay Jadeja drew a parallel between test cricket and struggle against climate change: “Like in Test Cricket, there is a need to sustain for long periods in the fight against climate change. The youth need to move forward and adapt to the new conditions.”
Nitin Desai, notable economist and former Under Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations, who had coined the definition of sustainable development, pointed out that the basic essence of sustainability was to ensure the principles of justice and fairness.
Young people need to intervene and get engaged in the fight against climate change. We need to keep our minds open particularly to what’s going to happen, he asserted.
Youngsters needed to accept their shared responsibility and do their bit to nurture good consumption behaviour and build awareness on social and environmental concerns. They also needed to practise the changes they preached because there would be no second chance, said Sachin Pilot.
