Post COP26, as the world observed its first Earth Day, debating the threats, challenges and consequences of the climate crisis, Asian Voice in association with the Royal Air Force, organised the second of its ‘Be The Change’ discussion series, this time focussing on ‘Climate Change and Sustainability’. Held at the House of Lords on 20th April and hosted by Lord Raj Loomba CBE, the panellists included CEO in asset management, media commentator, international best-selling author and philanthropist, Alpesh Patel OBE; sustainability expert and former Head of Sustainable Partnerships at the Born Free Foundation Hitesh Patel, and noted screenwriter, playwright and novelist Laline Paull. The discussion was moderated by award-winning publicist and author Sangeeta Waldron.
Welcoming the guests, that included peers, community and business leaders, policymakers, professionals, climate enthusiasts and representatives from the High Commission of India, Lord Raj Loomba CBE said, "It would be no exaggeration to say that the climate situation is dire, and we are running a race against time. Climate change is a global phenomenon and requires global collaboration. We are making some progress to reverse the trend but there is much ground to be covered until all our goals are realised. Climate change is a threat to human well-being and the health of the planet. Taking action now can secure our future."
CB Patel, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar briefly shared his thoughts about Mahatma Gandhi who inspired a nation to preserve our planet and provide the coming generations with a sustainable future.
In her speech, Warrant Officer Caroline Cooper, part of the Astra Core Team, RAF, said, “Astra is the name we have given to our journey to the Next Generation Royal Air Force.
“It has many pathways. They include the big-change programmes in the core Astra themes of People, Training, Equipment, Infrastructure and Support, as well as Digital, Space and Sustainability. On the journey, we need to exploit new technology. And we must play our part in addressing climate change.
“We need to adapt and evolve the Royal Air Force to operate and deliver battle-winning capability in the future operating climate and operate beyond fossil fuels by becoming the first Air Force to be Net Zero by 2040.”
In a message to Asian Voice, Sangeeta Waldron said, “As the moderator, I set the discussion with this thought - Ancient Science from the East and other cultures has warned us all to live in sync with Mother Nature and her resources. However, in the West, we dismissed this Ancient Science as superstition. Now modern science is proving that the climate is in crisis and natural resources are rapidly depleting. Our discussion agreed on this central point - to manage this crisis we need urgent behavioural changes and mindset. We all have an individual responsibility to the planet and a duty of care to those who are not yet born."
Summarising their views on climate change the panellists said the following to Asian Voice:
Alpesh Patel OBE said, “We all know that climate change is real and it's getting worse. There are a lot of things we can do to help fight it, but one of the things we can all do is reduce the consumption of beef. For instance, you could eat a meat substitute or just eat less beef. You don't have to go 'cold turkey'. You might have, say, meatless Mondays. Beef, lamb and prawns produce the most CO2 per gram of protein. Let alone consuming beef, think of the gallons of water and square feet of crop needed to feed the cows. And when you realise that everything from the clothes you wear to your commute is linked to climate, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But don't get too stressed out about it! Just be more mindful of each activity and its impact.”
Hitesh Patel said, “Businesses have a huge role to play as the total combined global companies are the biggest contributors to carbon emissions. Responsibility and opportunity, aligning profit with decarbonisation at speed and supporting effective climate regulation by building private-public partnerships is key. A good example of this is leading brand Surya Foods who have developed the first carbon-neutral source of rice in the UK.”
Author, playwright, and storyteller Laline Paull said, "Be the Change means having the courage to care and to act to save nature, despite the pain and confusion we feel about the harm humanity is still causing. Being the change means seeing ourselves as interconnected and part of nature, instead of plundering. We must repay the overdraft to Mother Nature and unite our efforts to combat climate change in our personal lives as consumers, in business, and in government. Nature needs the power of Asian Voice, and she needs it now."
Laline's latest book, POD which is out now, is a haunting tale exploring the ocean's wonders and dangers, and the cruelty and ignorance of humanity. Published by Little, Brown.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Lord Dolar Popat urged the Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar newsweeklies to do more to raise awareness about climate change within the British Asian community.
