Lucknow, 13 March 2023: Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of the present time. To deal with its widespread impact, Vigyan Foundation, Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research and ActionAid Association organised a “Conclave on Climate Change: Impacts and Challenges”, a three-day meeting in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh where representatives from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan participated.

Lt Gen Y. Dimri, Vice Chairman of State Disaster Management Authority, Uttar Pradesh was the chief guest of the conclave and shared the plans of the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (UPSDMA), speaking on UPSDMA’s commitment to build climate resilient futures. Lt. Gen. Dimri shared that climate change causes differential impact on vulnerable sections of the society and that the UPSDMA is open to receive ideas from people for making stronger climate actions. He concluded by stating that the three-day workshop is very useful and important because the impact of climate change is going to increase in the future, for which stakeholders will have to fulfil their responsibilities.

Dr Heera Lal, (IAS) Spl. Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources, Government of Uttar Pradesh, spoke about the need to grow trees, save water, and eliminate plastic. He expressed that if the world has to cope with the impact of climate change, then it will have to save as much water as used. He spoke about the detriments of plastic usage, and how it is important to minimize consumption, reiterating that section of the society has to come forward and work collaboratively to deal with climate change.

Sandeep Chachra, Executive Director, ActionAid Association set the context of the meeting by sharing that this was the second meeting in a series of conversations thata started in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, and will continue in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Chennai, Tamil Nadu and Guwahati, Assam. He cited that the attempt is to strengthen the voice of the deprived sections living in urban areas and connect them with the global discussion of climate justice. Sandeep said that though the impact of climate change affects everyone, it has a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable, and therefore the quest for climate justice calls for a framework to compensate for loss and damages while encouraging people centric, community-led solutions to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis.  He emphasized the need to understand the impact of climate change on agricultural labourers, small farmers, fisher folk, construction workers, and street vendors, and the imperative to draw these sections into conversations on climate justice.

The convention saw the presence of government officials, environmental experts, academicians, representatives of civil society organizations, university research students and members of various communities. There was an in-depth discussion on the effects of climate change like floods, drought, heat wave and landslides. Other speakers of the meeting included Khalid Chaudhary of ActionAid Association, Sandeep Khare from Vigyan Foundation and Prof Nand Kishore More from Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow.

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For more information, contact: Khalid Chaudhury| Khalid.Chaudhury@actionaid.org | 9455094764

About ActionAid Association

ActionAid Association is an organisation working for social and ecological justice. ActionAid has been engaged with the most marginalised communities in India since 1972. In 2006, ActionAid Association was registered as an Indian organisation, governed by an independent General Assembly and a Governing Board. Together with supporters, communities, institutions and governments, we strive for equality, fraternity and liberty for all. ActionAid Association works in 24 states and two union territories, with several partners and allied organisations. ActionAid Association is part of a global federation and a full affiliate of ActionAid International, that has presence in over 40 countries worldwide.