Trees swaying in the coastal monsoon breeze, rain drops racing across the window, the roads wet after a fresh shower and that smell of mud signaling the advent of the monsoon in India!
The invigorating, refreshing and breath-taking views, long drives and piping hot cups of coffee are a must have experience if you’re travelling to Mumbai. However, this is not a travel blog, and we aren’t endorsing the local tapriwala’s.
We hate to be the ones breaking it to you, but the environment is in dire need of help. These positive visions and experiences may soon be a thing of the past with clogged drains, water-logged streets, heavy showers, thunderstorms and high tides and man’s inadequate preparedness, improper disposal techniques and unwise impractical planning by those in control only adding to nature’s fury.
Tackling climate change risks must become a top foreign policy priority if the world is to combat the global security threat it poses in the 21st century, according to a new study commissioned by the G7 countries. The report, written by an international consortium including peacebuilding NGO International Alert and the European Union Institute for Security Studies, it calls climate change “the ultimate threat multiplier” in fragile situations. Also, A NASA report backed claims that 97% climate scientists believe that climate-warming trends over the past century are very likely due to human activities.
Another report published in 2014 by the United Nations, highlights the fact that, climate change is not just about the future. People around the world are already getting hit as it directly affects livelihoods, reduces food-grain production, destroys homes and raises food prices. These trends will accelerate if climate change is left unchecked.
Among other things, the report warns that climate change increases the risk of armed conflict around the world because it worsens poverty and economic shocks.
With already millions suffering from poverty, coupled with the unchecked climatic conditions, will result in lop-sided development in India.
Pope Francis, in his encyclical, calls upon the world’s nations, to curtail fossil fuel use, revamp their economic systems, and alter their lifestyles in order to avoid “unprecedented destruction of ecosystems”. “Each community can take from the bounty of the earth whatever it needs for subsistence, but it also has the duty to protect the earth and to ensure its fruitfulness for coming generations”, he is noted mentioning in the report.
With eminent leaders and global institutions warning of climate changes and their effects, it is more than safe to say that we have to start TODAY.
And why not right now?
PowerHouse, a sustainable housing project supported by a Chevening Alumni group; Crisp Social Ventures India is calling for expressions of interest from consortiums and individuals, to collaborate towards the creation of a concept house, which could earn for the occupants. Thereby empowering communities and educating them with the need to incorporate sustainable measures to live in consonance with the environment. Submit your applications at www.power-house.in
Watch the introduction to PowerHouse here.
