UNICEF, in its ongoing effort to amplify climate discourse and drive ground-level action, hosted ‘Climate Conversation Season 1’ today in Bhopal. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including government representatives, social media influencers, podcasters, civil society organisations, environmentalists, and industry leaders to discuss challenges, share insights, and seek actionable solutions to the climate crisis.
Speaking at the session, Saurabh Popli, an environmental expert and Associate Professor at the School of Planning and Architecture, emphasized the tangible rise in global temperatures and its far-reaching implications on ecosystems and human societies. “The changes are real and already here. We must acknowledge the scale of impact and prepare our communities accordingly,” he said.
Lokendra Thakkar, Officer In-Charge of the State Wetland Authority and Coordinator for Climate Change at the Environmental Planning and Coordination Organisation, Government of Madhya Pradesh, stressed the urgent need to shift from discourse to action. “Planting trees is important, but equally vital is protecting existing ones and addressing issues like food wastage, which significantly adds to carbon emissions,” he noted, sharing insights from his field experiences.
Anil Gulati, Officer In-Charge at UNICEF, highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on children. “From education to health and nutrition, climate-related disasters are affecting every aspect of a child’s life. Through these conversations, we aim to build a platform that includes the government, media, influencers, and industry to collectively brainstorm solutions for Madhya Pradesh,” he said. He also addressed the environmental cost of increased production and poor recycling, and called for the promotion of a circular economy.
Industry leaders echoed the need for responsible business practices. Pradeep Karambelkar, President of FICCI and representative of Business Network International (BNI), called on the industry to innovate eco-friendly solutions. G.K. Mishra, who runs a carbon credit venture, stressed the need for incentivizing CSR initiatives that actively contribute to sustainability.
UNICEF Health Officer Amit Dogra addressed the health impacts of climate change, particularly on children, pregnant women, and nutrition outcomes, underscoring the urgency for health-inclusive climate policies.
Dr. Sakshi Bhardwaj, founder of JungleVase, shared how her company is working to create urban jungles, proving that even small actions can cumulatively have a large impact. Media consultant Shivani Rajput emphasized the need to harness the power of social media to spread climate action messages and inspire behavioural change.
