Shimla: Former Shimla Deputy Mayor Tikender Singh Panwar, now a member of the Shimla Collective, announced the upcoming Shimla Climate Meet (SCM) scheduled for March 19-21, 2024.
The climate meet theme is "Climate Change, Impacts, and Challenges," aims to address the pressing issues of climate change in the Himalayan region.
Panwar informed media here today highlighting the urgency of the meet in light of the recent flooding in Himachal Pradesh and the alarming findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) VI report.
He said the report identifies the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) as one of the most vulnerable areas to climate change, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
The SCM will bring together stakeholders from various sectors, including social, environmental, scientific, and community groups, from the northwestern states and union territories.
Discussions will focus on the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, such as farmers, marginalized workers, and pastoralists.
Main topics to be addressed include the need for policy shifts to adapt to changing weather patterns, revisiting urban planning processes in Himalayan towns, and implementing disaster risk reduction measures.
In preparation for the meet, the Shimla Collective will launch a series of campaigns to raise awareness and foster community engagement. Activities will include street plays, outreach to schools and colleges, and competitions on climate change awareness.
The SCM presents a crucial opportunity for stakeholders to come together, share knowledge, and develop strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change in the Himalayan region.