Welcome our new Minister of the Environment, Jayanthi Natarajan
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s recent cabinet shuffle has given India a new Minister for Environment and Forests, Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan. It is yet to be seen whether Smt. Natarajan will be a tough proponent for our climate and environment or if she will ultimately be easier on wealthy corporate interests. She has expressed favor towards environmental issues across various platforms in the past. The challenge in front of her is immense and it is our responsibility to continue pushing her ministry to safeguard our environment and our future.
Make your voice heard to remind Jayanthi Natarajan that her ministry decisions must reflect the scientific reality we now face and value people and their livelihoods above corporate profits. Sign this letter and tell our new Minister of Environment and Forests that millions of Indians, young and old, are expecting her to be bold and strong in implementing laws, doing what is right and protecting our environment.
We will take these signatures and present it the minister with images of our collective campaign efforts from the past two years and welcome her to her office. And then it’s on to taking those new campaign efforts to a new level this coming 24 September for Moving Planet!
Tell our new Minister for Environment and Forests, Jayanthi Natarajan:
We would like to congratulate you for assuming the crucial office of the Minister of Environment and Forests. We are confident that your experience in politics, law and environment will stand you in good stead in making crucial decisions that can potentially script the story of India in the years to come. For many of the young people being represented through this letter, your role as the environment minister can make or break their fragile future.
As you are reading this letter, the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has gone up to 395 PPM and rising upwards far above the safe level of 350 PPM. Our excessive dependence on fossil fuels is accelerating climate change and posing a grave threat to our people and the future generations. Our extreme vulnerability to climate change has been pronounced by hundreds of eminent scientists in India and the world. This also presents us with a unique opportunity be a leader and put India on a path of sustainable development. We hope India’s national action plan on climate change is strengthened under your stewardship and we are positive that you are up for the challenge.
As you are assuming office, over 700 projects await your approval for environmental clearance. Millions of Indians who are directly dependent on forests and ecosystems are now competing for their own right to develop and sustain their livelihoods. Their call for natural justice and hence equity ought to be a priority for the world’s largest democracy. We need to uphold the rights of such people and we are hopeful that your discretion will value them.
And as you are reading this, thousands of Indians have their hopes pinned to the ministry. The MoEF has proven to be one of the most important offices in India and will continue to be so in a highly resource constrained world. India's quest to find the right balance between development and environment will continue and evolve and we are confident that you will spearhead this critical debate that will decide the fate of the future generations of India.
We are building a movement across the country and will back you in all the decisions you take in safeguarding our future, our development and our climate. We wish you the courage and luck for your new role as our minister.