India has many reasons to be concerned about the impact of climate change.

With industry and transport restarting after the lockdown forced by the Covid-19 pandemic, India and the world have the best chance right now to control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Indian Government’s first comprehensive Report on  The Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian region (June 2020) asserts that failure would mean that the country will face the worst heatwaves, droughts, cloudbursts, floods and a more degraded coastline. There is every reason to control GHG emissions as well as pollution emitting from primary, secondary and tertiary sectors of the economy. The report, forecasts that unless steps are taken, the average temperature over India will rise by approximately 4.4 degrees Celsius relative to the recent past (1976–2005).

We, human beings need to impress upon ourselves and realize the importance of urban green spaces and practice passive reduction of indoor temperatures, water conservation, rainwater harvesting, groundwater regulation, reduction in food wastage and waste segregation, the need to start realizing the importance of bicycling and walking ,  and usage of public transport.

The report makes it clear climate change is not an abstract idea; its effects are with us already in India, and are expected to accelerate. The intent of this petition is to stimulate an urgent conversation on how India can and should prepare for a brighter Indian future!