By IANS,
New Delhi : Three children from the international youth organisation, KidsCall, Saturday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and after tying rakhis, put forth their concerns regarding climate change.
Saying that the rakhis, which they have tied are in hope of protection from all harm, the children submitted a list of six major concerns that they said need immediate attention.
One of the pointers stated that the children are disappointed with the government’s national action plan on climate change focussing on biotechnology and genetic engineering.
“Thousands of farmers who grew genetically modified cotton have committed suicide because the seeds are costly, non renewable and unreliable,” a statement from the organisation said.
The children, accompanied by Stefan Schurig, energy director of the World Future Council and Manu Shankar of Delhi-based Navdanya, said immediate action should be taken so that there is a massive increase of renewable energy in India.
Representing the scores of other kids, who took part in the KidsCall campaign on climate change in February this year, the children further stressed on more public awareness on the issue of climate change.
“India cannot afford to be left behind in addressing climate change both in reducing emissions and in evolving resilience. We, as the future generations of India, want to see India as an environmental leader and not a laggard.
“The role that India plays globally should be led by the best sense, that India will proceed with its economical development but understand the fact that growth is not necessarily connected to a massive amount of carbon dioxide emissions,” the statement said.
The KidsCall campaign, which spans across 20 countries in the world, had Indian children becoming a part of it early this year.