TESTING TIMES

diversity, land and oceans. A sustainable
economy driven by renewable
energy and nature-based solutions
will create new jobs, cleaner infrastructure
and a resilient future. An
inclusive world at peace with nature
can ensure that people enjoy better
health, the full respect of their human
rights, and to live with dignity
on a healthy planet.
A surge in fragility, conflict and
violence (FCV) in recent years has left
a trail of human suffering, displacement
and protracted humanitarian
needs. By 2030, up to two-thirds of
the world’s extreme poor will live in
situations affected by FCV. Violent
conflicts have increased to the highest
levels, observed over the past 30
years. The world also faces the largest
displacement crisis ever, with more
than 79 million people fleeing conflict
and violence. These challenges
are exacerbated by risks, such as nature
destruction, violent extremism,
and pandemics like COVID-19.
Human choices shaped by values
and institutions, have given rise to
the interconnected planetary and
social imbalances, we face. If equity
innovation and stewardship become
central to what it means to live a
good life, human flourishing can
happen alongside easing planetary
pressures as under:-
Addressing fragility, conflict, and
By 2030, up to twothirds
of the world’s
extreme poor will live
in situations affected by
FCV. Violent conflicts
have increased to the
highest levels, observed
over the past 30 years.
violence; tackling climate, biodiversity
and pollution emergencies; protecting
and enhancing natural capital
and ecosystem integrity; building
resilience to natural hazards and
extreme climate events; responding
to environmental health risks; transforming
food, water and energy systems
to meet growing human needs
in an equitable, resilient and environmentally
friendly manner; transforming
economic and financial systems
so they lead and power the shift
toward sustainability; supporting
environmental justice movement to
enhance the power of unseen, unheard
and undervalued groups, and
recovering from COVID-19 pandemics.
All the above issues have found
solid footing on the ground, including
human rights, nature protection,
human health and livelihoods with
peace and prosperity and thereby
setting a determined new path towards
sustainable development.
Addressing Planetary crises
Climate change
Climate change poses serious
challenges to environmental sustainability
through natural hazards,
extreme weather events, species loss,
water scarcity, food and nutritional
insecurity, cost of public health and
many other impacts. A 2018 study
on, “Climate change and violent conflict”
by the Stockholm International
Peace Research Institute said, “as
the effects of climate crisis on livelihoods
become more pronounced,
support for rebel groups is likely to
shoot”.
The Intergovernmental panel on
climate change (IPCC) concludes
that evidence of changes in the climate
system is unequivocal, with
the atmosphere and oceans warming,
glaciers and polar ice melting,
sea level rising, and greenhouse gas
(GHG) concentration increasing.
This scenario is of particular significance
for South Asia as this region
is highly vulnerable to climate
– induced natural disasters and rising
sea levels. Climate change could
cause over 62 million people to be
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