Supreme Court Judges Highlight Urgent Climate Change Issues
At a recent event, four Supreme Court judges, including three future Chief Justices of India, voiced their concerns about climate change and suggested proactive measures to address the crisis. Justices Surya Kant, PS Narasimha, Sanjay Karol, and KV Viswanathan emphasized the urgent need to tackle climate issues during the launch of the book “Climate Change: The Policy, Law and Practice” by advocate Jatinder Cheema.
Justice PS Narasimha bluntly stated that “unless and until people change internally, there would be no use of law and people would be only filing petitions at the NGT.”
Call for a Climate Commission
Justice KV Viswanathan highlighted the need for a dedicated climate commission in India, akin to the NITI Aayog, to address climate change from multiple angles. He stressed that simply focusing on carbon emissions reduction may not be sufficient for a developing country like India. He pointed to scientific reports indicating that the years 2011 to 2024 have been the warmest in the last 100,000 years, underscoring the existential threat posed by climate change. He referenced the Supreme Court’s Ranjeet Singh judgment, which affirmed citizens’ rights to protect themselves from the adverse effects of climate change.
Environmental Violations by Developed Countries
Justice Surya Kant criticized developed countries for exporting plastic waste to developing nations and pointed out that their environmental violations often go unnoticed. He commended India and other developing countries for taking steps to prevent ecological damage and reduce carbon emissions. He expressed hope that the Indian legislature would take significant measures to combat climate change.
Impact on Agriculture and Water Resources
Justice Sanjay Karol noted the detrimental effects of overusing fertilizers and excessive groundwater irrigation on climate change and agriculture. He remarked on the ongoing efforts to clean the Ganges and the challenges that remain.
Internal Change and Legal Action
Justice PS Narasimha reiterated the importance of internal change among people, stating that without it, legal measures would be ineffective, and the National Green Tribunal would be overwhelmed with petitions. He highlighted the severe consequences of climate change, including extreme temperatures, contamination of drinking water, and rising sea levels, which impact human, plant, and animal life.
About the Book
Author Jatinder Cheema explained that his book goes beyond environmental laws, compiling national and international legal frameworks related to climate change, adaptation, resilience, and mitigation. It aims to be a valuable resource for policymakers, activists, legal scholars, and practitioners. The book’s foreword was written by Justice Dalveer Bhandari, a judge at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
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