Young climate activist Ridhima Pandey to Asian bishops, “I do not want my generation to suffer…”
Ridhima Pandey is a 14-year-old climate activist from Uttarakhand, India, who spoke at the 50th General Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference on 17 October. Ridhima shared how the climate-induced disasters she witnessed in her home state and the older generation’s failure to take action forced her to become an activist, her struggles of getting her voice heard by policy makers at the national and global levels, and her experiences from her dialogue with Pope Francis in the recently released film, The Letter.
When she was nine years old, she was the plaintiff
in a climate change case filed in March 2017 with the National Green Tribunal
(NGT) of India, arguing that “the Public Trust Doctrine, India’s commitments
under the Paris Agreement, and India’s existing environmental laws and
climate-related policies oblige greater action to mitigate climate change. It
also argues that the term “environment,” as used in the Environment
(Protection) Act 1986, necessarily encompasses the climate.” The NGT dismissed
the petition on 15 January 2019, arguing that climate change is already
considered in impact assessment and granting of environmental clearances.
(Source: Climate Change Litigation Databases
Ridhima also asked the assembly to provide a platform for youth voices to be amplified. With the Catholic Church undertaking its synodal journey and with COP27 fast approaching, Ridhima’s message reinforces the need to listen to the voices of the youth and the margins for justice and for a hope-filled future, and to strengthen commitments in better caring for the Common Home. Ridhima’s address at the FABC General Assembly can be viewed here.
Source : ecojesuit.com
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