What is Mission LiFE launched by the Prime Minister of India recently? The mantra of Mission Life is ‘Lifestyle For Environment’ to make the fight against climate change democratic, in which everyone can contribute within their capacity. Read here to know more about the mission.
Climate change and environmental degradation are global phenomena, meaning that decisions made in one region of the world affect ecosystems and communities somewhere else.
The Mission LiFE was launched by the Prime Minister of India in the presence of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
‘Mission LiFE’ (Lifestyle For Environment) is a new initiative for a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.
Climate change and global warming are the main challenges before the world and mankind, and Mission LiFE makes the fight against climate change democratic with the contribution of everyone in per own capacity.
Mission LiFE
Mission LiFe is a global initiative by India to help the world in its fight against climate change and lead to a sustainable way of life to achieve the sustainable development goals set by the U.N.
The idea of LiFE was introduced by India during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in 2021.
The idea promotes an environmentally conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilization’ instead of ‘mindless and wasteful consumption.
On 5 June 2022, on World Environment Day, India furthered the vision of LiFE by launching the LiFE Global Movement, inviting academicians, researchers, and start-ups across the world to think about specific and scientific ways in which the full potential of collective action can be harnessed to address the environmental crisis.
The Mission emboldens the spirit of the P3 model, i.e., Pro Planet People, as it is premised on the basic principles of ‘Lifestyle of the planet, for the planet and by the planet’.
It advocates for the circular economy where the concept of ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ can help in striking a balance between development, economic growth, and sustainability.
Mission LiFE makes everyone trustees of the environment. A trustee is someone who does not allow indiscriminate use of resources. A trustee works as a nurturer and not as an exploiter.
Mission LiFE aims at following a three-pronged strategy for changing our collective approach toward sustainability.
- First is by nudging individuals to practice simple yet effective environment-friendly actions in their daily lives (demand);
- Second is by enabling industries and markets to respond swiftly to the changing demand (supply) and;
- The third is to influence government and industrial policy to support both sustainable consumption and production (policy).
With the launch of the Mission, the prevalent “use-and-dispose” economy governed by mindless and destructive consumption will be replaced by a circular economy, defined by conscious and deliberate consumption.
Mission LiFE is designed to mobilize at least one billion Indians and other global citizens to take individual and collective action for protecting and preserving the environment in the period 2022 to 2027.
India’s commitment to Mission LiFE
Mission LiFE will action the ideas and ideals of LiFE through a mission-mode, scientific and measurable programme and demonstrate India’s commitment to walk the talk on climate change.
The annual per capita carbon footprint in the country is only about 1.5 tons, compared to the world average of 4 tons per year while India has the fourth largest capacity for renewable energy in the world.
India is ranked fourth in wind energy and fifth in solar energy.
- India’s renewable energy capacity has increased by about 290 % in the last 7-8 years.
- The country has also achieved the target of 40% of the electric capacity from non-fossil-fuel sources nine years ahead of the deadline.
Through the National Hydrogen Mission, India has moved towards an environment-friendly energy source. This will help India and many countries of the world to achieve their goal of a net zero carbon footprint.
India’s initiative with the International Solar Alliance proves that the country is pursuing environmentally sound policies to promote renewable energy and reduce the usage of fossil fuels.
By leading the creation of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, India has conveyed its concept of environmental protection to the world. Mission LiFE is the next step in this series.
India had launched several initiatives to support the fight against climate change:
- National Afforestation Programme (NAP)
- National Mission for a Green India (GIM)
- National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
- National Biodiversity Action Plan
Way forward
The fight against climate change goes beyond policy making and it needs wider support from individuals to the family community to protect the environment, and earth and help each other against climate-related disasters and extreme weather calamities.
The upcoming CoP 27 in Egypt presents a key political opportunity to reveal trust and accelerate action across all the pillars of the Paris agreement. With its vulnerability to climate impacts and its massive economy, India can play a critical bridging role.
And as India assumes G20 Presidency, it is an opportunity to help usher in a new era of sustainability, fully in line with its history, its culture, and its tradition.
-Article written by Swathi Satish
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