Ahead of the UN climate conference later this year in Paris, the national capital is playing host to a meet led by former US Vice President Al Gore which aims to focus on the renewable energy potential for India and the key role that the country plays in the lead up to the discussions in the French capital.
The Climate Reality Project (TCRP), an organisation involved in education and advocacy related to climate change founded by Gore, said that the 27th Climate Reality Leadership Corps training will engage with more than 450 new climate reality leaders here. The event is taking place here from Feb. 22-24.
"There are many reasons to be optimistic about our ability to solve the climate crisis. The... Training in New Delhi, which will bring together committed activists and citizens from all over India and several other nations, gives me yet another reason to be hopeful.
"After completing this training, these leaders will be empowered with the best tools possible to communicate this message of hope to their own communities," said Gore, the chairman and founder of TCRP and a Nobel Peace Prize winner.
The training will focus on the renewable energy potential for India as well as the key role the country plays in the lead up to the COP-21 climate negotiations in Paris at the end of the year.
Experts at the training have been speaking on a variety of topics relevant to India and climate change, including its effects on the country, opportunities for renewable solutions, and how grassroots engagement can benefit people across the country.
Some of the prominent speakers include Ken Berlin, President and CEO, TCRP, Bunker Roy, founder of the Barefoot College, Henry Pollack, Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan and Angela Rutter, Director of Strategic Engagement, Australian Conservation Foundation.
TCRP said that India's position becomes important as it is already experiencing the negative effects of climate change, including extreme rainfall, flooding and significant changes to agricultural patterns, without the infrastructure to easily adapt.
While it has a low per-capita historical responsibility for emissions, India "also has the opportunity to pursue an inclusive and sustainable development pathway to secure a healthy, safe and prosperous future for its citizens and the world", the statement said.
