India’s G20 Presidency C elebrations: JMI organises Public Extension Lecture on ‘Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction: Making Sustainability a Way of Life’

 

 The Department of Geography, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) organized a Special Public Extension Lecture on ‘Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction: Making Sustainability a Way of Life’ as part of India’s G20 Presidency celebrations at the university.. The lecture was delivered by Dr S.D. Attri, Member- Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, Government of India on 29 th March 2023 from 10.00 AM to 11.30 AM in the Seminar Hall, D/o Geography, JMI.

The Head of Department, Prof. Haroon Sajjad, welcomed the Guests of the Program. Prof. Sajjad thanked JMI Vice-Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar (Padma Shri) for taking the important initiative of celebrating India's G20 Presidency by organizing several academic and research programs including the Special G20 Lecture Series in the University. Prof. Atiqur Rahman, Chief Proctor, JMI also welcomed Dr. Attri. Coordinator-Extension Lecture, D/o Geography, Dr. Praveen Kumar Pathak, briefly introduced the distinguished speaker to the audience.

The distinguished guest, Dr. Attri appreciated the dynamic leadership of the JMI Vice-Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar (Padma Shri) for inspiring and sharing India's G20 Presidency with the academicians and researchers across India and beyond. He also thanked Prof. Haroon Sajjad for the warm welcome and sharing strong academic and scientific collaboration between D/o Geography, JMI and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), New Delhi over several years.

Dr. Attri highlighted the diverse issues and challenges ensuing the climate change and its drivers, particularly for the developing countries. For instance, weather, climate or water-related disasters have led to the loss of 115 people and caused damages worth US$ 202 million on a daily basis respectively. The number of disasters increased five-fold over the past 50 years, largely driven by human induced climate change, more extreme weather events and improved reporting. During 1970-2019, about 3500reporetd disasters led to nearly 1,000,000 deaths and economic loss of US$ 1.2 trillion.

Dr. Attri further underscored that India is among 10 most climate-induced disaster-prone areas in the world with nearly 65% of India’s population affected by heat waves, about 60 million people annually affected by floods, 316 million Indians in 225 most vulnerable districts by 2030. Therefore, building climate resilience to above climate vulnerable districts of India to survive, adapt, and thrive despite recurring disasters.

The program ended with a Vote of Thanks proposed by Dr. Sandesh Yadav, D/o Geography, JMI.