The book — with 9 sustainability experts writing on the threat of climate change and the way forward — was launched by the authors, along with Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, event Chairperson, and President, PIC; Dr. Ajit Ranade, Special Guest, and Vice-Chancellor, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics; and Abhay Vaidya, Director, PIC.

Tracing the history of World Environment Day to 1972, Prof. Amitav Mallik said we knew back then that we were running into trouble with the climate. The problem is “real’ and we “are bringing our doom,” he warned. “Unfortunately, everybody is chasing GDP,” he said, and stressed evolving a “green GDP”. Pointing to PIC EECC’s “India’s Youth Manifesto for a Climate Secure Future” brought out two years ago, he said it is the youth’s future that matters. “It is high time we gave climate action good thought.” He said awareness about climate change has increased but climate action is not happening and that without clean renewable energy, our survival is not possible.

Dr. Ajit Ranade said the messaging should be to “stop the theft”, as we are “stealing from the future generation”. “Sustainable development is about morality and the unborn generation,” he noted.

Referring to the 50-plus degree Celsius heat experienced in Delhi and elsewhere, Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar said we are feeling the impact of climate change. Agreeing with Dr. Ranade’s views, he said we are “stealing from our children”. “We cannot have development with humans as bystanders. New development should balance economics, equity, ethics and environment,” he added.

After the book launch, six of the authors came together for a panel discussion and shared their concerns about climate change and its solutions. The discussion, moderated by one of the authors, Dr. Gurudas Nulkar (Senior Fellow at PIC), featured Dr. Nitant Mate (Partner at SeeGreen Solutions), Dr. Priyadarshini Karve (Founder Director of Samuchit Enviro Tech), Aditi Kale (Director at CCP Environmental Foundation), Megha Phadkay (who worked as Climate Policy researcher at PIC), and Shalvi Pawar (who worked as Research Associate at PIC). Two authors, Mr. Ejaz Ghani (former Lead Economist at World Bank) and Ajay Shankar (Distinguished Fellow at TERI), were not present. The programme was anchored by Sanika Potnis, Research Assistant, PIC.

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The event will be chaired by Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, President, of PIC. Dr. Ajit Ranade, Vice Chancellor, of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, will be the guest of honor. Among others present will be Dr. Amitav Mallik, Founding Member & Trustee, PIC, Head of EECC, and book authors.

The book comes at a crucial moment in India’s development trajectory with the climate crisis looming over the sub-continent. With increased instances of extreme climate events like raging heat waves and destructive floods, the country is grappling with tremendous loss of lives and livelihoods.

As Dr. Vijay Kelkar, Vice President, PIC, notes in the Foreword: “Rapidly growing India is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate-change associated adversities…”  Prof. Mallik notes in the book that “(H) humanity seems to have entered a new ‘Climate Challenged World’ (often called the ‘Age of Consequences’) for the foreseeable future…”.

The volume offers insightful perspectives from 9 authors in the field of sustainability on the threat of climate change and the way forward.

There appears to be a new acceptance that no conflict exists between economic progress and caring for the environment. Hence, future development will essentially be green technologies and clean methods.

“Dedicated to the youth of India and the World over, whose future is in danger”, the book conveys the core message that the future of sustainability and human development should be more nature-centric. It underscores that Net-Zero is only half the story and that the final solution must include restoring the Earth’s carbon balance and ecological conservation.

Date: June 5, 2024 (World Environment Day)

Time: 5 PM to 7 PM

Venue: Sumant Moolgaokar Hall, A Wing, ICC Trade Tower, SB Road, Pune

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