Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister V D Satheesan declared that environmental protection and climate change resilience will be integrated into all developmental projects launched by the UDF government. The Chief Minister made this announcement while inaugurating the state-level observance of World Environment Day in the capital.
Commitment to Sustainable Development
Satheesan emphasized that no government development activity would harm nature. "The government aims for balanced and sustainable development. While the national target for carbon neutrality is set for 2070, Kerala is striving to become a carbon neutral state by 2050," he said, adding that significant progress could be achieved by 2040 itself.
Climate Change: The Biggest Challenge
The Chief Minister stressed that climate change is the greatest challenge facing the world today and that warnings from nature must be taken seriously. "Climate change phenomena previously seen only in the Bay of Bengal have now started occurring in the Arabian Sea. Extreme rainfall and cloudbursts can happen at any time, posing a major threat to cities like Kochi and Mumbai," he warned. Satheesan also noted that cloudbursts occur suddenly, leaving no time to move people to safe locations, thereby increasing the risk of landslides in the Western Ghats regions.
Promoting the 'One Health' Concept
Satheesan advocated for widespread propagation of the 'One Health' concept, which recognizes the interconnection between human health and the health of nature. He proposed that the historic speech on environmental protection delivered by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in Stockholm in 1972 should be included in the school curriculum. "Awareness that all living beings have the right to live, just like humans, must be nurtured in children from a young age," he added.
Protecting Kerala's Natural Assets
The Chief Minister underlined the importance of protecting Kerala's 600-kilometer coastline, 44 rivers, the Western Ghats, and its lakes. "The goal of carbon neutrality is not a mission that one generation can complete alone; it is a great responsibility that must be handed over to future generations," he said.
Release of Key Reports
At the event, the Chief Minister released the 'Kerala Carbon Neutral Pathway 2050' and the audit report on the state's waste treatment facilities, marking concrete steps toward the state's environmental goals.
