Supreme Court Judges Justice K V Viswanathan, Justice Surya Kant, and Justice Sanjay Karol have called for urgent action to address climate change, emphasising its severity as an existential threat.
At the launch of a book on climate change, Justice Viswanathan stressed the need for a permanent commission, similar to NITI Aayog, to find comprehensive solutions. He also highlighted the debate on umbrella legislation for climate change, suggesting a regulatory model that balances development with carbon emissions control.
Justice Kant noted the Supreme Court's proactive approach to preventing environmental degradation, going beyond existing laws to protect the environment. He urged the legislature to take necessary measures to address climate change challenges.
Justice Karol emphasized the need to recognize climate change as an independent branch of law, distinct from environmental law. The judges also highlighted the disproportionate burden on developing countries, including India, in addressing climate change.
Justice Kant pointed out that developed nations often export plastic waste to developing countries, circumventing their responsibilities. Despite this, India has taken steps to prevent ecological damage and ranks eighth in the Climate Change Performance Index.
The judges stressed the need for awareness, balanced development, and effective legislation to combat climate change. They called for a comprehensive approach to address this existential threat, balancing growth with environmental protection.
"Climate change is a problem right here and right now. It is, without exaggeration and without creating an alarm, a serious existential threat," Justice Viswanathan said at the launch of a book titled "Climate Change: The Policy, Law and Practice" by lawyer Jatinder (Jay) Cheema.
"There is one other thought. Experts have been writing about it, and Cheema addresses it in his book... the need for the establishment of a climate change commission for our country, a permanent body on the lines of NITI Aayog, so that periodically all stakeholders address this issue and push the frontiers to solve the problem from all angles," he said.
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