Sansad TV: Mission Life & Climate Change | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

Life mission and its analysis

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) campaign, urging global leaders to join the movement in protecting the environment by adopting eco-friendly lifestyles. 
• This campaign recognizes that individual actions, no matter how small, can have a positive impact on the planet. 
• However, it emphasizes the need for frameworks, information sharing, and a global movement to achieve significant change. 
• It also acknowledges that accountability should be proportionate to one's contribution. 
• While the combined emissions of the world's poorest half still fall short of 1% compared to the wealthiest individuals, LiFE aims to encourage all stakeholders to take differentiated approaches towards supporting the planet. 
• Mindful choices cultivated by LiFE include actions like conserving energy at home, using cycling and public transport instead of cars, and using our influence as customers and employees to demand climate-friendly options. 
• The campaign also employs gentle persuasion techniques, known as nudges, to encourage positive behavior. 
• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) uses proven nudging techniques, such as offering smaller plates in cafeterias to discourage food waste and using eye-catching bin lids to promote recycling. 
• According to the UNEP, more than two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to household consumption and lifestyles, making it crucial to adopt greener consumption habits on a large scale.

Challenges in addressing Climate Change

• Regional Inequality:
  To address climate change and regional inequalities, the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities was proposed. However, the lack of commitment from developed countries has hindered the success of many global initiatives, such as the Kyoto Protocol.
• Developed Countries not taking responsibility:
  Industrialized nations refuse to acknowledge their historical emissions and pollution resulting from the industrial revolution. They are unwilling to accept responsibility and are withdrawing from global agreements, as seen with the United States rejecting the Paris Agreement.
• Finance:
  Enormous funds are required to implement adaptation and mitigation measures. For example, while electric mobility is an environmentally friendly solution, it is currently expensive in terms of cost per vehicle kilometer. Shifting to renewable energy also presents fiscal challenges for most countries.
• Technology:
  Many adaptation and mitigation measures rely on sophisticated technologies and research and development, posing barriers for developing countries and small island nations. The commercialization of technology through patents and evergreening has made it unaffordable for many.
• Increasing use of fossil fuels.
  Complex linkages exist between emissions, concentrations, climate changes, and their impacts. Uncertainty persists regarding the specifics of future climate change. Human response systems exhibit significant time lags. Risks, perceptions of risk, and adaptation needs vary across different contexts.

Way Forward

• India has a successful track record of translating national missions into collective efforts involving society as a whole. 
• A localized Climate Risk Atlas at the national level can help identify and address climate-related risks. 
• Furthermore, democratizing climate data is essential for informed decision-making. 
• The primary challenge lies in persuading other developed countries to take concrete actions. 
• Wealthy nations like the U.S. and those in the EU argue that emissions from developing countries continue to rise and that they should commit to more substantial emission cuts.
• It is crucial to reach a consensus as soon as possible. 
• Investment in research and development is necessary to drive innovations in sustainable, climate-friendly, and climate-proof productivity, and the private sector can play a significant role in this regard.