Climate change is, without doubt, a burning issue of our generation. The issue is all-pervading and 'destination 1.5 degrees' seems distant to say the least. Alarmingly, the world is currently on course to 2.4 degrees of warming by the end of the century. The need of the hour is actionable plans, clear timescales, necessary funding and transparent strategies to deal with some of our highest carbon and greenhouse gas-emitting areas: agriculture and forestry, energy, buildings and transport. Some countries are already in grave peril and face unprecedented humanitarian crises. These include island nations which are threatened with imminent extinction and coastal communities in many other countries too. It is true that all nations and people will be required to make changes to ensure sustainability. In my address to the parliament on November 21, I appealed to the President of COP26, The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, that the UK should lead the world and set an example by supporting the climate-vulnerable countries, which are already being affected by climate change, with additional climate finance commitments throughout the UK’s COP presidency. After all, very often, they suffer for no fault of theirs.
The theme for the Be The Change event at the House of Lords on 6th April, which I am delighted to host, throws a challenge to each one of us: how can we be the change and make a difference to our environment. It is indeed a welcome challenge and I do hope that it will instil a renewed resolve in all those attending the event to make this world a better place for us and for future generations. I commend Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar for bringing this urgent issue to the fore.
