Children's charter on climate change

NEW DELHI: Over 150 students from 25 schools from across the city came together at the Capital’s India Habitat Centre to discuss environmental issues in an interactive seminar with members of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Wednesday.
The event was organised by the Tata Energy Research Institute at the outskirts of the Eighth Conference of the Parties (CoP 8) to the UNFCCC in the Capital, to sensitise children about imminent issues regarding climate change.Following a brief ice-breaking session, the participants were shown an educational film on climate change. The participants presented a draft charter to conclude the days proceedings.
The draft expressed concern about the increase in greenhouse gases due to human activities, leading to global warming; impacts of sea level rise on ecosystems, economic losses and displacement of coastal inhabitants; threats to flora and fauna and impacts on livelihoods in agrarian economies. The draft charter recommended the efficacy of the following measures: conservation of energy, use of clearer fuels and public transportation; encouraging afforestation through individual efforts and mass awareness; sensitising people about the need to adopt renewable energy resources.
UNFCC deputy executive secretary, Tahar Hadj Sadok appreciated the participants on ‘‘Asking the right questions and identifying the right issues.’’ An elaborate version of the charter will be presented at the CoP 8 on October 30, said Ranjana Saikia of TERI. Having fielded a number of queries from students on diverse issues related to current status of the ozone hole to sources of alternative fuel to harmful effects of industrialisation on the environment, representative of UNEP, Grid Arendal, Lars Halt Brekken said, ‘‘It’s been a learning exercise for me. It would be worth their while for the ministers to pay attention to this charter. I hope it will have some impact on the conference.’’
Barbara Black, NGO liason officer at the UNFCC remarked, ‘‘It’s encouraging to see that there exists a reasonable awareness on climate change among students. Children can play an important role in spreading awareness as they are in a position to influence their parents and society at large. They can reinforce and send a stronger message on environmental issues.’’