President at NGT climate conference: community-based adaptation rooted in traditional knowledge

The President’s address on climate adaptation: what happened?

Mitigation cuts emissions; adaptation helps people cope with the change already under way. The President stressed that the people hit hardest must have a say.

• President Droupadi Murmu addressed the valedictory of the International Conference on “The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics”, organised by the National Green Tribunal [PIB].
• She called for people-centric, community-based adaptation rooted in traditional knowledge, and linked climate change with biodiversity loss, water stress and land degradation [PIB].

What did the President say?

• Climate change is linked with biodiversity loss, water stress and land degradation, and affects food, health and livelihoods.
• Rural and forest-dwelling people, small farmers and women bear the brunt of disasters.
• Afforestation should restore self-sustaining ecosystems, not just plant trees.
• Developing countries must build resilience while keeping up development.
• Mission LiFE shows what public participation can do.

What can Prelims ask on the President’s address on climate adaptation?

• Mission LiFE: India’s public participation initiative for the environment.
• Adaptation vs mitigation: adaptation reduces harm; mitigation cuts emissions.