Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar delivered a stark warning about the looming threat of climate change during his keynote address at the valedictory session of the 4th International Climate Summit on “Bioenergy: Path to Viksit Bharat” in New Delhi today.
Describing climate change as a “ticking time bomb” and an “existential crisis for mankind,” Dhankhar painted a grim picture of our planet’s current state. “Our planet, once a pristine green heaven, is not a shade of its past,” he said, attributing the near-catastrophic condition to “reckless exploitation of natural resources and deforestation.”
The Vice-President emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that “humanity is cliff hanging” and warning that “there is no contingent plan, no other planet than earth and it needs to be conserved and nurtured.”
Dhankhar highlighted the disastrous effects of climate change, including prolonged droughts, intensified wildfires, and unprecedented storms. He stressed that these changes not only endanger vulnerable populations but also threaten biodiversity and food security, placing significant strain on natural resources and agricultural systems. Invoking India’s ancient wisdom, Dhankhar noted that “harmonious coexistence with nature, and deep respect for our ecology, has been an intrinsic facet of Bharat’s civilisational ethos.” He also emphasized the importance of climate justice, stating that it “must be our North Star, as climate change disproportionately affects marginalised and vulnerable communities.” The Vice-President praised India’s leadership in sustainable energy initiatives, citing examples such as the Global Biofuel Alliance, Green Hydrogen Mission, and International Solar Alliance. He extolled the benefits of bioenergy, noting that “modern bioenergy not only provides clean fuels, but also helps mitigate pollution, enhances farmers’ income, reduces import bills, and creates local jobs.” Recognizing the global nature of the climate crisis, Dhankhar called for collective action from all stakeholders, including governments, corporate leaders, and citizens. “When the day of reckoning will come, nobody will be spared,” he warned, urging unity and maximum effort to address the issue. The Vice-President also commended the ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’ (One Tree in Mother’s Name) campaign, calling it a “revolutionary step” with the potential to engage 1.4 billion people in annual tree planting, which could have a significant positive impact on the environment. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Sanjeev Agarwal, President of PHDCCI, Hemant Jain, Sr. Vice President of PHDCCI, Dr. J P Gupta, Chair of Environment & Climate Change, and Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, Executive Director of PHDCCI. As the climate summit concluded, Dhankhar’s powerful address left attendees with a clear message: urgent and united action is necessary to address the critical challenge of climate change facing our planet.
