Climate Change a Ticking Time Bomb, An Existential Crisis; Humanity is Cliff Hanging: VP at PHDCCI Event

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has cautioned that climate change is a ticking time bomb, an existential crisis for mankind. “Our planet, once a pristine green heaven, is not a shade of its past. Bled by climate change, triggered by reckless exploitation of natural resources and deforestation, the planet has been brought near catastrophe,” he said while warning that “humanity is cliff-hanging.”

Delivering the keynote address at the valedictory session of the 4th International Climate Summit on “Bioenergy: Path to Viksit Bharat” organised in New Delhi by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industries on Friday, Dhankhar said that “there is no contingent plan, no other planet than earth and it needs to be conserved and nurtured”.

Underlining the disastrous manifestations of climate change such as prolonged droughts, intensified wildfires, and unprecedented storms, he stressed that “these changes not only endanger vulnerable populations but also threaten biodiversity and food security, placing significant strain on our natural resources and agricultural systems”, thus contributing to community collapse.

Referring to age old values, the Vice President noted that “harmonious coexistence with nature, and deep respect for our ecology, has been an intrinsic facet of Bharat’s civilisational ethos”. Our Vedas and ancient scriptures reflect the pro-environment mindset that has been integral to our lives and thought process. Stressing on climate justice, Dhankhar remarked that climate justice must be our North Star, as climate change disproportionately affects marginalised and vulnerable communities.

Praising the pioneering steps taken by India such as Global Biofuel Alliance, Green Hydrogen Mission and International Solar Alliance, he commended the leadership role played by Bharat in sustainable energy. Noting benefits of bioenergy, he said, “modern bioenergy not only provides clean fuels, but also helps mitigate pollution, enhances farmers' income, reduces import bills, and creates local jobs.”

Highlighting the fact that impact of climate change reverberates across boundaries, the Vice President exhorted all stakeholders including the governments, corporate leaders and the people for a collective action to tackle this menace.

“When the day of reckoning will come, nobody will be spared. And therefore, we have to move unitedly, as much as we can, unleash our energy to the maximum, exploit our potential, give everything we can”, he added. Climate change has emerged as a global disaster manifested as escalating sea levels, prolonged droughts, intensified wildfires, and unprecedented storms, contributing to community collapses worldwide. These changes endanger vulnerable populations.

Acknowledging the revolutionary potential of the ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’ campaign, he said, "This is not just an emotive appeal or a slogan, it is a revolutionary step. The step will ensure that 1.4 billion people will plant it every year. It will have great positive, cascading impact. It will help us deal with the existential problem, a problem that is of our making - exploitation of natural resources and deforestation." Sanjeev Agarwal, President, PHDCCI, Hemant Jain, Sr. Vice President, PHDCCI, Dr. J P Gupta, Chair, Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, Executive Director, PHDCCI and other dignitaries were present on this occasion.