Politicians Have Realized Perils of Climate Change, Now People Must

 Politicians Have Realized Perils of Climate Change, Now People Must

On 1 March 2025, Erik Solheim, President of the Europe-Asia Centre (Brussels) and former Norwegian Minister for Environment & International Development, emphasized the growing consensus across the global political spectrum about the dire consequences of climate change. However, he stressed that while world leaders have acknowledged the problem, the responsibility now lies with the people to take informed, collective action to mitigate its effects.

Solheim spoke at an event hosted by the Sambad Group, in collaboration with the Global Alliance For A Sustainable Planet (GASP) and the Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD), held at the World Skill Centre in Bhubaneswar, India. In his address, he pointed out that although political leaders from different countries may have varying ideologies, they are increasingly recognizing the threat of climate change. Despite this, discussions on climate change have largely remained confined to political and academic circles, rather than reaching the broader public.

The Urgency of Awareness and Action

Solheim stressed the importance of making climate change information accessible to the public in a way that is easy to understand. He warned against overly intellectualizing the topic and emphasized that grassroots awareness is essential. He also pointed out that climate change is not a distant issue—it is already manifesting in the form of extreme weather events, impacting people around the world, including India.

Leaders, Solheim said, must take action not only by uniting to create policies but also by spreading awareness and promoting environmental education at the grassroots level.

Global Progress and Local Solutions

Citing global examples, Solheim praised China's progress in green energy, noting that it added 300 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity in just one year. This marks a shift in leadership from Europe, which was once considered the pioneer in green technology, to Asian countries like China, India, and Indonesia, which are now leading the charge in renewable energy.

On the climate change actions for Odisha, Solheim suggested several strategies:

• Preserving mangrove ecosystems: Odisha’s rich mangrove ecosystem should be protected to help reduce the impacts of rising sea levels and protect biodiversity.
• Solar energy adoption: The state can shift towards solar energy by installing solar panels on rooftops and encouraging farmers to adopt solar-powered technology.
• Electric vehicles: Solheim highlighted the need to encourage electric vehicles (EVs) in Odisha’s public transport system, which could reduce noise pollution and contribute to a cleaner environment, similar to initiatives in China.

The Role of Businesses and Local Governments

Satya Tripathy, Secretary General of GASP, pointed out that China is the world's largest emitter of carbon, followed by the United States. However, China’s role as a manufacturing hub also means it is taking steps to tackle emissions. In India, Odisha is the second-largest emitter of carbon in the country, and immediate action is needed to address this.

Tripathy called for corporate responsibility—companies responsible for emissions should take measures to offset their environmental damage. He also highlighted the example of Andhra Pradesh, where 12 lakh farmers, many of whom are women, have shifted to zero synthetic chemicals in agriculture, reducing environmental harm. Odisha, he suggested, could benefit from adopting similar practices to significantly reduce emissions.

The Need for Environmental Education

Tripathy also stressed the need for environmental education, particularly for children, to help raise awareness and prepare future generations to face climate challenges.

Recognizing Local Heroes

The event concluded with the recognition of local climate change warriors, including Pradip Dalei, Hari Pangi, and Sadhwi Sindura, for their contributions to environmental protection. PK Sahoo, co-founder of CYSD, gave the vote of thanks, while several other prominent figures in the environmental sector attended.

Final Thoughts

Solheim’s message was clear: while global leaders are beginning to acknowledge the reality of climate change, it is now up to individuals and communities to take responsibility, act locally, and demand policy changes to protect the planet for future generations.