Introduction:
Global warming and climate change are the worst realities of our times. Earth’s warming climate is estimated to contribute to more than 150,000 deaths and five million illnesses every year and, according to WHO, this toll could double by 2030. The climate change is driving up rates of malaria, diarrhea, outbreak of dengue fever in South Asia, and fast adding to human woes, such as glacier melt, gloom on Antarctica, rise in sea level, loss of species, etc. The catastrophic changes need not confine only to the altered socio-economic scenarios. The implications might be much more formidable than humanity could predict or even think of. If the warming up trend goes on, the ecological processes that keep life in the state of equilibrium and sustainability might be knocked down giving rise to a situation that would spell a doom on the planet. The rampantly going-on processes of liberalization, privatization and globalization (LPG) are increasingly giving way to economic development without a thought at the cost of the living planet.
The current state of the planet is largely owing to anthropogenic dimensions. Therefore, restoration of the Earth’s climate order and Cooling of Earth is possible. We are capable not only of arresting and reversing the global warming process, but also of putting the living planet back into the state of vibrancy and sustainability. This demands efficient environmental management with focus on carbon emission reduction and abatement, enhanced carbon sequestration, increased use of clean and non-polluting sources of energy, ecological philosophies nurtured by philosophers that could be vital for evolving eco-centric strategies of development, and formulation and implementation of policies and programmes that could lead to cooling of the earth. The proposed international conference would give just this opportunity.
Being organized by the Department of Environmental Science, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, this conference is being sponsored by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
Objectives:
- To bring scientists, academicians, researchers, thinkers, philosophers, environmentalists, managers, social workers, industrialists, administrators, institutions, government representatives, and NGOs committed to the cause of the Earth from all over the world on a single platform to analyse and discuss the alarming problems and trends facing humanity and costing the living planet
- To evolve viable, effective and workable strategies, including promotion of eco-philosophy and lifestyles without carbon footprints that could contain and reverse the processes of global warming and help restoring climate orders of the Earth
- To send an appeal to all peoples of the world for creating synergies and social atmosphere conducive to resolving critical socio-economic, development and environment related issues of our times and work out a plan for global cooperation for promoting long-term strategies aimed at preparedness against global warming and climate change.
- To promote life enhancing ecological philosophy, alternate and frugal lifestyles and prepare a ground for ecological renaissance for healing and reviving our tormented planet.
Themes/Topics:
During the conference, papers would be presented on the following themes/topics:
- Our Common Biosphere: State of the Global Environment
- Climate Change Impacts on Different Environmental Components (Lands and Soils, Waters, Atmosphere, Biosphere)
- Himalayan Mountains and Their Contribution to Cooling of the Earth
- Biodiversity and Climate Change Mitigation
- Climate Change Impacts on Various Food Production and Livelihood Systems (Cropping, Forestry, Rangelands, Pastoralism, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, etc.) and on Food, Nutrition and Livelihood Security, and on Human Health
- Concerns, Challenges and Conflicts Being Borne out of the Current State of Free Carbon in Environment Manifesting into Global Warming, Climate Change and Socio-Economic Unsustainability
- Social, Cultural and Political Dimensions of the Problems
- Environmental Management, Energy Resources, Clean Development Mechanisms, Adaptation Strategies, Case Studies and Success Stories
- International Legislations and Agreements
- Eco-Philosophy, Alternate Lifestyles, Ecological Renaissance; Ushering in a Sustainable Future; Searching New Horizons of Sustainability
Who Should Attend:
University/college teachers, researchers, environmental managers, agriculturists, research students, representatives from R&D organizations, ministries, government departments/organizations, expert NGOs/International NGOs, representatives from industries, administrators, policy makers, sociologists, economists, committed environmental activists and eco-philosophers.
