Climate clocks show 6 years 90 days left to breach global warming limit
Only six years and 90 days remain before our planet heats beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius, showed the climate clocks displayed at an event organised at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on the occasion of Earth Day on Saturday.
A large number of people, including school and college students, assembled and displayed the 559 climate clocks and entered the Asia Book of Records.
Since the world is currently facing erratic weather patterns and frequent climate-related disasters, the ticking climate clocks show how fast the planet is on its way to touching 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming considering current emission trends. The countdown aims to encourage people to come together and take immediate action to reduce greenhouse gases.
At the event, 559 climate clocks by 7,000 people and 3,000 organisations were assembled for promoting climate change mitigation among the common people. Educational institutes and organisations will now display these climate clocks in their buildings to spread awareness. The organiser claimed that it was the world’s largest assembly and display of climate clocks.
The event was organised by Energy Swaraj Foundation in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission, All India Council for Technical Education, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and other organisations. The global partner for the event was Climate Clock Group, which first displayed the climate clock at New York’s Union Square in September 2020.
Chetan Singh Solanki, founder of Energy Swaraj Foundation and known as the solar man of India, spoke about understanding climate change and limiting the use of energy through the AMG principle – avoid, minimise and generate. He said the event was organised to create awareness about rising temperatures and the climate change issue.
Solanki, who is a professor at IIT-Bombay, told TOI, “As these climate clocks will now be viewed by thousands of people, it will create awareness. However, this is the beginning. There is a long way to go to reduce carbon emissions and consume more solar energy.”
The stadium was filled with climate enthusiasts and conscious individuals who pledged to take actions for climate correction. The clocks were provided with manual instructions and people assembled them to start the countdown.
Anita Kumari, a class X student from Green Fields School, said, “It was interesting to learn about the climate clock and how necessary it is to take immediate steps to deal with global warming. Delhi has been witnessing intense weather, like excess rain and high temperatures. Young people should come forward to ensure a sustainable future.”
Anushka Verma, a class VIII student at Composite School in Noida, said she had realised the importance of renewable energy. “I will inform my friends and family about the threat faced by the planet due to global warming,” she added.
Simran Shukla, a student from IIMT college, said she and other students had fun assembling the climate clock and she will work to raise awareness about climate change.