Living in a healthy environment is our basic human right. But it’s us who are not exercising this right properly. The protection of the environment is a global issue. It is not a problem of a particular area but a problem of the whole world. Last year, Greta Thunberg targeted global leaders to cut global emissions. She urged the students around the world to demand the similar from their governments. She said in her speech “I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel everyday.” These words by her are true. Right now climate change is the biggest threat in this century. The depletion of the ozone layer and global warming are the major problems before the present generation.But this issue is somehow neglected by citizens of the world and also governments.
Steps taken by Indian Judiciary
Indian constitution is perhaps one of the rare constitutions of the world which has specific provisions for the protection of the environment. It is considered as an integral part of right to life under article 21. The Indian Judiciary has made an extension and developed a new “Environmental Jurisprudence” of India. The Indian Supreme Court was one of the first courts to create a concept of right to “healthy environment” as part of right to life under article 21 of the Indian Constitution. The judiciary has been the major source of providing environmental safeguards in India. The first inclination of recognising the right to live in a healthy environment as a part of article 21 was evident from the case of R.L and E Kendra Dehradun vs. State Of U.P. This was the first case of its own kind in the country involving issues related to environment and ecological balance. In this case, the Supreme Court ordered the closure of a number of lime-stone quarries. As those were harming the environment
What is environmental jurisprudence?
Environmental jurisprudence means that indian judiciary has made laws related to the environment also constitutional provisions. And also principles like sustainable development,precautionary and polluter pays principles have been introduced.
Steps taken by United Nation
The UN conference on human environment and development of Stockholm in 1992 is considered a magna carta (great character) of environment protection. This was the first formal international recognition of the need for protection of the environment. This declaration recognises the concept of sustainable development. This declaration generated 26 principles.
Stockholm declaration, 1992
The “main purpose” of the conference was to serve as a practical means to encourage and provide guidelines for action by Governments and international organizations designed to protect and improve the human environment.
Reasons behind Climate Change
There are various reasons behind climate change such as pollution, more preference to technology, globalisation, etc. but the biggest reason behind this is us humans. We started degrading the environment to fulfil our desires. Environment was neglected by us from the start. To make buildings we started ruining our nature, our mother earth.
Why do we need to protect the environment?
1.Without a healthy environment we can’t survive. It is the basic
need of humans. 2. It is our right to live in a healthy environment.
3. We get our resources from the environment.
4. For sustainable development.
Conclusion
This world is categorised by many people based on languages, race, culture, etc. but, one thing that makes us combine us which ties all of us is our mother earth. And, we need to acknowledge the issue which is constantly ruining our environment because of our desires.
“CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL”
