‘Innovations, creativity among youth key factors to promote climate action'
The experts described the youth as not just the leaders of tomorrow, but as the 'solution providers of today', while calling upon them to adopt a shared vision of green economy. An environmentally sustainable economy could be evolved with proper resource management, collaborations and upskilling.
Water conservationist and Magsaysay Award winner Rajendra Singh said the challenges of climate urgency had produced opportunities to learn the use of indigenous knowledge systems. 'Communities equipped with local wisdom can conserve water and revive the dry and dead rivers,' Mr. Singh said.
Highlighting the role of Tarun Bharat Sangh, established by him, in the revival of Arvari river in Alwar district with the construction of small check dams, Mr. Singh said the adoption of prudent agricultural practices would make the ecosystem healthy and mitigate the impact of climate change.
Haridev Joshi University of Journalism Vice-Chancellor Sudhi Rajiv said the individual and collective action of the youth could help improve environmental outcomes, even as the educational institutions could function as 'living laboratories' for sustainability.
Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce and Industry president K.L. Jain said the industries must not merely be engines of growth, but they should become champions of green innovation. 'The sectors such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, sustainable agriculture and circular economy will be at the forefront of India's transition into a green economy in the next ten years,' he said.
Experts addressing the sessions on youth-industry synergy, digital narratives, and harnessing communication said the energy of youth and the experience and resources of industry should be brought together to create a green, inclusive and resilient economy.
To bridge the gap between the academia and the industry on climate action, the steps suggested by the speakers included co-creation of curriculum, encouraging apprenticeships and on-field exposure, supporting research and development collaborations, developing centres of excellence and incentivising startups and innovation labs.
The campaign for climate action has been taken up under the aegis of Jaipur-based Lok Samvad Sansthan (LSS) and New Delhi-based Sustainability Karma. LSS secretary Kalyan Singh Kothari said the youth were being encouraged to produce contents to sensitise the people on the challenges of environmental degradation and promote sustainable living.
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