Jubilee Post News & Views
Lucknow. A three-day conclave on Climate Change, Impacts & Challenges, jointly organized by ActionAid Association, Vigyan Foundation, and Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University Lucknow, took place from March 13 to 15, 2024, in Lucknow.
The aim was to amplify the voices of marginalized urban communities and integrate them into the global discourse on climate justice. Participants from three states joined this pivotal initiative.
Key speakers included Mr. Sandeep Chachra (Executive Director, ActionAid Association), Lt. Gen Y. Dimri (Vice Chairman, State Disaster Management Authority, UP Government), and Dr. Heera Lal, IAS (Special Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources, Government of Uttar Pradesh).
Mr. Chachra emphasized the urgency of mainstreaming the voices of marginalized urban groups in global climate discussions, noting that these communities disproportionately bear the impacts of climate change despite contributing minimally to its causes.
Lt. Gen. Dimri underscored that climate change is no longer a distant concern but an immediate reality and low-income communities, indigenous peoples, and marginalized groups bear the brunt of environmental degradation the most leaving them vulnerable to displacement, poverty and food insecurity. He also shared insights on the government initiatives such as State and District Action Plans on climate change , Heat Wave Management Action Plan and State Disaster Management Policy.
Dr. Heera Lal stressed individual responsibility in conserving water and oxygen, advocating for plastic reduction, afforestation, and water conservation for future generations. Additionally, Khalid Chaudhary, Prof N.K More and Sandeep Khare also discussed about the impacts of climate change.
Scientists, environmentalists, policymakers, civil society representatives, academicians, and youth participated in the program fostering dialogue and indulged into the effects of climate change, particularly heat waves, flood and droughts, and formulated collective strategies to combat them.
