Swedish climate change activist, 16-year-old Greta Thunberg has taken the world by storm with her words and actions against climate change. She has not only urged adults and governments around the world to take action against the deteriorating condition of the environment but has also inspired lakhs of young children to walk on the same path.
Accordingly, sixteen young activists from around the world including Greta had filed a complaint with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child against five respondent countries responsible for the largest emissions in the world. They have called out the world governments and held them responsible for lack of action on the climate crisis. One of these 16 children is Haridwar’s, Riddhima Pandey.
The 12-year-old has taken the responsibility of spreading awareness and driving the government’s attention towards the dire need for curbing climate change. The little girl who began her stance against climate change at a tender age of 9, is lovingly called as ‘Greta Thunberg of India’ by media.
“By whichever name I can make people more aware, I would do that,” Riddhima says.
She recently graced a Children’s Day event at Shiv Nadar School in Faridabad where she spoke in detail about the climate crisis and measures that can be taken at industrial and individual levels to deal with it.
“You cannot completely ban plastics, but you can stop manufacturing single-use plastics. Production is easier to control than people using it,” says Riddhima on her solution to one of India’s pressing problems, reports News 18.
“I’m not in a place to change the legislature, but if enough of us speak up, maybe we can convince those in power to do so,” she adds.
In response to Riddhima’s words, one of the students said, “I think we realized that how much individual accountability holds going forward if I can take a small step and educate enough people to do the same, it counts more than inaction,” said one student.
The school itself runs on sustainable energy and hosts events to promote eco-friendly options. The principal of the school said, “We’re very open to ideas the children come up with and are looking to implement as many of them as we possibly can.”
However, such awareness campaigns require Riddhima to miss her classes, but she believes she can fix her studies on her own but the environmental crisis requires her immediate attention. “If I miss some classes, that’s okay, because I can study on my own and catch up. If the climate is further damaged, it can’t be fixed again,” she says.
After witnessing the horrifying flash floods of Uttarakhand in 2013, Riddhima had also filed a petition against the National Green Tribunal of India demanding updated measures. But the petition was dismissed in January this year, reports Economic Times.
During the Kawar Yatra which results in severe pollution of river Ganga, Riddhima earlier said, “I want a better future. I want to save my future. I want to save our future. I want to save the future of all the children and all people of future generations.”
We wish all the best to Riddhima for her noble work towards the environment and hope she becomes successful in bringing a change in the world.
Kudos to you, Riddhima!