State of the Global Climate report that was released recently is cause for concern. The report, by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) of the United Nations, states that 2023 was the hottest year in the recorded history of the planet. Moreover, the average temperature rise from pre-industrial levels has been 1.45°C. The temperature rise is tantalisingly close to breaking the agreed limit of 1.5°C by different nations. Such a rise in global temperatures, also popularly known as global warming, is definitely alarming. ELECTIONS AS AN OPPORTUNITY It is election season in many democracies around the world. In India, the election season has expectedly brought in festivities, enthusiastic audiences to televisions, passionate debates in every corner of the country and hope that the outcome of the elections will change lives. Indeed, the hope that every political party plants in the minds of voters and the promises that are made in every election, make people anxiously anticipate the outcome of the elections. The State of the Global Climate report, therefore, has arrived at the right time to initiate discussion across the political spectrum.

WHY ARE POLITICAL PARTIES NOT USING IT IN INDIA?

  • Climate change, as a topic, may not resonate well with the voters.
  • The awareness levels of the electorate & the candidate is less.
  • This topic is not popular.
  • Mentioning it can receive backlash from the industries.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?

  • Political parties, for example, must commit themselves to enhancing public awareness on climate change and clearly defining steps to reduce global warming.
  • Political parties may also wish to spell out the steps that they would undertake to reduce the impact of global warming on India.
  • All political parties are pitching the agenda of shaping India’s economic prosperity and the well-being of its people. This is an agenda which would be incomplete without addressing the core issue of a climate change action plan.