We are in denial about climate change, people in power not doing enough: Bhumi Pednekar 

With the world reeling under the impact of biblical floods, droughts and dangerous wildfires, urban leaders said that there still remains a denial about the reality of climate change. Actor and climate activist Bhumi Pednekar said that people do not believe climate change is real, we are in denial as a society. 

Bhumi Pednekar along with urban planner & climate campaigner Berjis Driver, Neha Naikwade, Lead, Climate Data Programme, Climate Collective, UN Youth Climate Leader and wildlife photographer, environmental conservationist, and documentary filmmaker Aishwarya Sridhar were at the India Today Conclave Mumbai. 

"We humans have the ability to live a complacent life, and we as climate activists want to make people uncomfortable with facts around us and we need people to fear about the future. It is our responsibility to make sure our future generation has what we had when it comes to clean food, a healthy planet, drinkable water. I don't think as an individual, people in power are doing enough to make that happen," Pednekar said. 

Speaking about the role of industry in fighting climate change, Priya Agarwal, non-executive director Vedanta Ltd, said that since the industrial revolution, climate change has exponentially become a problem and fingers get pointed at industrialists. "We need to find a way where we work hand in hand, and without industry, the world will not progress and we need to make sure it can be done sustainably. It is about doing business sustainably and by taking care of the environment." 

Talking about sustainable living, Pednekar said that sustainable living is not costly and out ancestors did that. Neha Naikwade, lead, climate data programme said that there is need for technology to compliment policies and diplomacy when it comes to climate change. "with what training we have and work with it in these discussions from our point of view and make climate-conscious choices and make our voices heard," she added. 

The climate campaigner said that there is a need to avoid plastic, reduce, recycle and reuse and try and move towards a sustainable life and make sustainable choices when it comes to transportation, fashion, and life choices. "We need to realise that we are not saving the planet for the sake of it, it is for our survival, not the planet. Climate catastrophe is no more an act of god, it is anthropogenic," said wildlife photographer Aishwarya Sridhar.