Whether it is a bad omen of things to come, the Year 2011 has started on a sad note with climate related disasters reported from one end of the world to the other. This is therefore a good time to actually start a serious dialogue on climate change. The conclave on ‘Climate Change Leadership in NE India’ to be held on January 20, 2011 at Mokokchung under the theme “The need for new paradigms” is therefore both timely and a step in the right direction. The fact that people from the Northeast region, inclusive of a cross section, are coming together to dialogue among each other is indeed a very encouraging sign. Let’s hope that this is not a one-off event to be shut and forgotten but one that will help set an agenda for future climate change dialogue in the northeast region. As a media observer, one of the problem that we have noticed when we talk about things like climate change and global warming, is the wide disconnect between the issue and people. Till now issues like climate change is seen more of an academic discourse with heavy dose of science and theory. And because of the use of high sounding names and scientific language employed, many times the common man finds it difficult to grasp what is climate change, greenhouse gases, emission cuts, transfer of technology etc. We need to simplify the dialogue on climate change so that not only the scientists, advocacy groups or the intelligentsia but also the common man, farmers etc can better understand the issue. Secondly since climate change and its related problems are inherently linked to land and their resource, which in turn involves the question of livelihood, in that sense, the dialogue on climate change should also offer practical solutions or alternatives must be provided. For this, proper study of local conditions, cultural practices of the community etc. must be first done. Besides, trust building and communication with the stake holders must be given importance so that they participate in the process and become part of the solution.
The third aspect that we need to clearly expose in the climate change dialogue is the key role that result oriented governance can actually play in addressing climate change. In fact many of the problems associated with climate change also has to do with the failure of our policies and the ‘governance deficit’. The kind of development that we espouse is in complete variance to protecting our environment. Take for example the need for Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), a key policy instrument towards sustainable development. Unfortunately in Nagaland we still do not adhere to such environmentally strict norms. More than anything else we need to build leadership in the governments, among politicians and bureaucrats. We need to learn a thing or two from our pro-active Union Minister for Environment & Forest Mr Jairam Ramesh. The environment ministry under Mr Ramesh has called for a stop to the high profile Lavasa city project near Pune, which has violated green laws and caused environmental degradation. As per the ministry’s directive, no further construction activity can be carried out. The environment ministry has also refused clearance to large scale mining projects as they violate environment laws. This is the kind of leadership role that will be expected of our politicians and bureaucrats here in Nagaland as also the other Northeast region. The media on their part can step in to educate and create awareness among the public on a clear understanding of what climate change is about, the causes, the solutions and the alternatives for change.
